Smoking Ban in Public Places in 2025: Where, Fines and Solutions for Smokers

Why France Is Strengthening Its Smoke-Free Spaces in 2025

Tobacco remains the leading cause of preventable death in France, with 75,000 deaths a year according to the Ministry of Health, or more than 200 deaths every day. Faced with this reality, the French government has for several years pursued a proactive policy of reducing smoking, of which the National Tobacco Control Programme (PNLT) 2023-2027 is the cornerstone.

The stated goal is ambitious: to build the first tobacco-free generation by 2032. To achieve this, decree no. 2025-582 of 27 June 2025 considerably extends the areas where smoking is now banned. Since 1 July 2025, many outdoor public spaces have been covered by this ban.

Whether you are an occasional or a daily smoker, these new rules change your habits in practical ways. This article covers the places where smoking is now banned, the penalties you risk, the health and environmental reasons behind these measures, and above all the practical solutions for carrying on smoking legally and with respect for those around you.

The New Places Where Smoking Has Been Banned Since July 2025

The decree of 27 June 2025 significantly widens the scope of smoke-free spaces in France. Here is the full list of places covered since 1 July 2025:

• Public parks and gardens: all municipal, departmental and regional green spaces are now smoke-free.
• Beaches: bathing areas and their immediate surroundings ban all tobacco use.
• Bus shelters and covered waiting areas: public transport stops, even outdoors, are covered.
• Surroundings of schools: a perimeter of at least 10 metres around the access points (doors, gates, entrances, emergency exits) of primary schools, middle schools and high schools.
• Surroundings of places that host minors: leisure centres, holiday camps, nurseries and youth accommodation facilities.
• Surroundings of libraries and media libraries: the same 10-metre perimeter around the entrances.
• Surroundings of swimming pools and sports facilities: stadiums, sports halls, municipal swimming pools and sports complexes.
• State forests: some public forests are also included in the scheme.

These bans add to provisions already in force since 2007 for enclosed and covered places open to the public (restaurants, offices, stations, shopping centres).

Restaurant and Cafe Terraces: A Notable Exception

Contrary to a very widespread belief, the terraces of restaurants, bars and cafes are not covered by this new regulation. According to the Groupement des Hôteliers et Restaurateurs (GHR), terraces are not considered an enclosed space open to the public. It therefore remains legal to smoke there, subject to the local rules of each municipality.

However, several municipalities have already passed local by-laws banning tobacco on certain terraces. It is therefore advisable to check the rules in force in your municipality before lighting a cigarette on a terrace.

Penalties and Fines: What Offenders Risk

Failing to comply with the smoking ban in smoke-free spaces is a 4th-class offence. Here are the penalties that apply:

Situation	Fine amount
Initial fixed fine	€135
Reduced fine (payment within 15 days)	€90
Increased fine (failure to pay)	€375
Maximum fine (court decision)	€750

Law enforcement (national police, municipal police, gendarmerie) are authorised to fine offenders. A fine may be issued on the spot or recorded afterwards in some municipalities equipped with video surveillance.

It is important to note that this fine applies equally to conventional cigarettes, e-cigarettes and vaping products. The decree targets all tobacco and vaping products without distinction.

The Health Reasons: Passive Smoking and Protecting the Public

The new measures rest on solid scientific data about the effects of passive smoking, including outdoors. Contrary to popular belief, tobacco smoke does not disperse immediately in the open air and can affect the health of people nearby.

Passive Smoking in Numbers

According to Santé publique France, between 3,000 and 5,000 people die prematurely in France every year from diseases linked to involuntary exposure to tobacco smoke. This figure includes around 1,100 deaths from myocardial infarction, strokes, lung cancer or chronic respiratory disease directly attributable to passive smoking.

Tobacco smoke contains more than 7,000 chemical substances, about fifty of which are classed as carcinogenic by the World Health Organization (WHO, 2023 report). Among them are benzene, formaldehyde, arsenic, cadmium and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).

Outdoor Air Pollution from Tobacco Smoke

A study published in BMC Public Health in 2024 measured concentrations of fine PM2.5 particles in outdoor spaces where tobacco is consumed. The results are revealing:

• Outdoor smoking areas: PM2.5 concentrations measured between 10.9 and 91.0 µg/m³.
• Smoke-free control areas: PM2.5 concentrations between 4.0 and 20.4 µg/m³.
• WHO recommendations: the annual guideline value is 5 µg/m³ for PM2.5.

These data show that air quality in outdoor spaces where people smoke regularly exceeds the thresholds recommended by the WHO, which scientifically justifies extending smoke-free zones.

Protecting Children and Young People

90% of smokers start before the age of 18. The visibility of tobacco in young people's everyday spaces (parks, school surroundings, stadiums) helps normalise its use. Smoke-free spaces explicitly aim to denormalise smoking among the youngest, by reducing their visual and physical exposure to smoke.

In 2023, 23.1% of the French adult population smoked daily (25.4% of men, 20.9% of women). The aim of the PNLT is to bring these rates down significantly by combining price rises, prevention and smoke-free spaces.

The Environmental Impact of Cigarette Butts: An Additional Argument

Beyond the health issues, pollution from cigarette butts is a major ecological problem that has motivated tougher regulation in natural spaces (parks, beaches, forests).

Alarming Figures

The data on butt pollution are unambiguous:

• 30 billion butts are discarded every year in France, a large share of them in the natural environment.
• 137,000 butts are dropped on the ground every second worldwide.
• The butt is the number one plastic waste item worldwide: its cellulose acetate filter is a plastic derivative.
• A single butt can pollute up to 500 litres of water, with some studies even citing 1,000 litres.

Proven Aquatic Toxicity

According to a fact sheet from the Swiss Ecotox Centre (2019), a butt contains more than 2,500 toxic chemical substances that are released on contact with water. The study states that four butts immersed in a single litre of water are enough to kill a small fish in under 96 hours.

Among the pollutants released are nicotine, arsenic, lead, mercury, cadmium, phenols and ammonia. In light of toxicological analyses, the butt should be classed as hazardous waste (HP6) and ecotoxic (HP13) under European Union regulations.

To find out more about how long this waste takes to break down, see our article on the decomposition time of a cigarette butt.

History of Anti-Tobacco Regulation in France: From the Evin Law to the 2025 Decree

The fight against smoking in France is part of a long-term trend. Here are the main regulatory milestones:

Year	Measure	Scope
1991	Evin law	Smoking ban in enclosed communal places, restrictions on tobacco advertising
2007	Decree of 15 November 2006	Total smoking ban in all enclosed and covered public places
2008	Extension to bars and restaurants	Cafes, hotels, restaurants, nightclubs and casinos become smoke-free
2012-2024	Voluntary smoke-free spaces	More than 7,200 smoke-free spaces created in 1,600 municipalities (Ligue contre le cancer initiative)
2016	Plain packaging	Introduction of plain packaging for tobacco products
February 2025	Ban on puffs	Disposable e-cigarettes (puffs) banned from sale
July 2025	Decree no. 2025-582	Smoke-free spaces extended to parks, beaches, bus shelters, school surroundings and sports facilities

This timeline shows a clear acceleration of measures since 2020. The price of a packet of cigarettes, up from €6.50 in 2016 to €12 in 2025, will reach €13 by January 2027.

How Do Smoke-Free Spaces Work in Practice?

Understanding how smoke-free spaces work in practice lets you know exactly where you can and cannot smoke.

The 10-Metre Perimeter

For the surroundings of schools, libraries, swimming pools and sports facilities, the ban covers a zone of at least 10 metres around public access points (doors, gates, entrances and emergency exits). This perimeter is measured from the nearest access point, not from the building itself.

Mandatory Signage

The managers of the places concerned must put up visible signs showing the smoking ban. Failure by the manager to display signs is an offence punishable by a 4th-class fine (€135) for the person responsible for the place.

Designated Smoking Areas

In some places (companies, stations, airports), smoking areas may be set up under strict conditions. To find out more about employers' obligations, see our article on workplace smoking areas and the 2026 regulations.

Practical Solutions for Smokers: How to Adapt to the New Regulations

Rather than simply putting up with these new restrictions, you can organise yourself smartly so that you keep enjoying your cigarette or cigar breaks legally. Here is the equipment and the habits that make the difference.

The Pocket Ashtray: The Essential Accessory

With smoke-free spaces multiplying, the pocket ashtray becomes the must-have accessory for every responsible smoker. Compact, airtight and reusable, it lets you store your butts cleanly when no suitable bin is available.

A good pocket ashtray should be:

• Sealed: to prevent smells and leaks in your bag or pocket.
• Heat-resistant: metal materials (aluminium, stainless steel) are preferable to plastic.
• Compact: a size that slips easily into a trouser pocket or handbag.
• Easy to clean: for hassle-free everyday use.

Setting Up a Smoking Area at Home

While public spaces are gradually closing to smokers, your home remains a place where you can smoke freely. Setting up a dedicated space, whether on your balcony, terrace or in your garden, is the most comfortable solution.

For an outdoor space, a weatherproof outdoor ashtray is essential. Models in stainless steel or corrosion-treated metal are the most durable. If you have a larger space, a freestanding ashtray adds a touch of elegance while being practical: no need to bend down, and the capacity is generally greater than table models.

In the Car: A Private but Regulated Space

Smoking in a car remains legal in France, except in the presence of a minor under 18 (fine of €68). A car ashtray suited to your vehicle stops you throwing butts out of the window, an act punishable by a €135 fine for littering on the public highway. Read our full article on the subject: can you smoke while driving?

Limiting Smells for Those Around You

Whether you smoke indoors or on your balcony, an odour-proof ashtray or a closed ashtray considerably reduces the nuisance for your family and neighbours. Models with an airtight lid trap residual smoke and ash, limiting the spread of smells.

For Professionals: Bringing Your Premises into Compliance

If you run a restaurant, hotel, shop or company, compliance with the new regulation is mandatory. Installing professional ashtrays outside your premises, beyond the ban perimeter where applicable, lets you offer a solution to smoking customers and staff while respecting the law.

A wall-mounted ashtray installed near the designated smoking area is the most practical solution for establishments open to the public.

What Will Change Again in 2026 and 2027

Anti-tobacco regulation continues to evolve. Here are the measures planned under the PNLT 2023-2027:

• 2026: reduction of the nicotine level allowed in tobacco and vaping products. Strict limits on flavourings in vaping products (an end to attractive flavours such as sweets, fruit and menthol).
• January 2027: price of a packet of cigarettes raised to a minimum of €13.
• Horizon 2032: goal of a first tobacco-free generation, meaning a smoking prevalence among young people of below 5%.

Discussions are also under way about a potential extension of the ban to cafe and restaurant terraces, although this measure has not yet been incorporated into the current legislative framework.

FAQ: Your Questions About the Smoking Ban in 2025

Can you still smoke on a restaurant terrace in 2025?

Yes, the terraces of restaurants, bars and cafes are not covered by the decree of 27 June 2025. They are not considered enclosed spaces open to the public. However, some municipalities may pass local by-laws banning it. Always check the rules in your municipality.

What is the fine if I smoke in a public park?

Smoking in a smoke-free space is a 4th-class offence. The fixed fine is €135, reduced to €90 for prompt payment (within 15 days). If it is not paid, it can be increased up to €750.

Does the ban also apply to e-cigarettes?

Yes, the decree applies to all tobacco and vaping products. E-cigarettes, heated tobacco devices and nicotine-based products are covered in the same way as conventional cigarettes.

What does the 10-metre perimeter around schools mean?

The ban applies within a minimum radius of 10 metres around each public access point of the place concerned: main entrance doors, gates, entrances and emergency exits. This perimeter is measured from the access point, not from the walls of the building.

Can you smoke on a private beach?

The regulation targets beaches as bathing areas, without explicitly distinguishing public beaches from private ones. In practice, private beaches (bathing establishments) can set their own policy, but the trend is towards a general ban. Check with the establishment.

How do you report an offence in a smoke-free space?

You can report a breach of the regulation to your municipality's local police or through the online reporting platforms offered by some town halls. The manager of the place is also required to enforce the ban.

Are smoke-free spaces really effective?

According to a study cited by the Ligue contre le cancer, 83% of respondents consider smoke-free spaces an effective way of reducing passive smoking. More than 7,200 smoke-free spaces have been created in 1,600 municipalities since 2012, with positive results in denormalising tobacco among young people.

Are there exceptions for outdoor events?

Festivals, markets and outdoor events are not systematically covered by the decree, unless they take place in a space already classed as smoke-free (public park, beach). Organisers may nonetheless decide to ban tobacco in their rules. It is advisable to check the conditions of each event.

Conclusion

The new regulation of 1 July 2025 marks an important step in French anti-tobacco policy. For smokers, it means new habits and suitable equipment. Investing in a quality pocket ashtray, an outdoor ashtray for your own space and possibly an odour-proof closed ashtray lets you smoke with peace of mind, in compliance with the law and with respect for those around you.

Discover our full range of ashtrays to find the model that suits your needs and your lifestyle.