Explained: France's new smoking ban rules

France is widely known for its heavy cigarette use despite having a strict indoor smoking ban since 2007. On July 1st, 2025, the government will extend this ban to include certain outdoor spaces where children or public areas may be present, such as beaches, parks, and bus stops. Café terraces remain allowed for vaping but prohibited for actual smoking, while vaping is legal in some outdoor areas like schools. The indoor-only rule remains enforced, though outdoor enforcement may vary due to stricter laws being less widely enforced compared to their indoor counterparts.