France Smoking Ban 2025: What Travelers Need to Know

Published May 29, 2025

Planning a trip to France this summer? If you're a smoker or traveling with someone who is, there’s a new law going into effect that could change where you’re allowed to light up. Starting July 1, 2025, smoking will be banned in many outdoor public spaces, especially places where children are likely to be around.

That includes a lot of spots tourists tend to visit without thinking twice.

Places You Can No Longer Smoke

Once the new rule kicks in, smoking will not be allowed in:

• Public beaches

• Parks and gardens (like the Jardin du Luxembourg or the Tuileries)

• Bus stops and public transit shelters

• Areas near schools and playgrounds

• Outdoor sports fields and courts

Even if you're used to more relaxed outdoor smoking rules in Europe, this is a real shift. The fine for breaking it is €135.

Where Smoking Is Still Allowed

As of now, smoking is still permitted:

• At outdoor café terraces (one of the last places where locals still gather with a cigarette)

• On most sidewalks or streets, unless otherwise marked

• Outside most hotels, shops, and train stations (but away from entrances)

If you’re unsure, just look around. If nobody else is smoking, it’s probably not allowed there anymore.

What About Vaping?

Electronic cigarettes are not part of this new ban, so vaping is still permitted in most places where traditional smoking is banned. That said, new restrictions on vaping are expected in 2026, so it might not stay that way for long.

Why It’s Happening

French officials say this is about protecting kids and cleaning up the public space. Smoking rates in France have dropped, but cigarette litter and secondhand smoke exposure remain big problems. This new law is part of a push toward what the government calls a “tobacco-free generation” by 2032.

A Note on Cigarette Packaging in France

If you plan to buy cigarettes in France, be prepared for what the packaging looks like. Since 2017, all cigarette packs in France are sold in plain packaging with no logos, brand colors, or glossy designs. Instead, they are uniformly dark brown and feature large health warnings, often with graphic images of smoking-related illnesses.

This is part of France’s broader anti-smoking effort and can come as a shock to travelers who are used to more branded or discreet packaging. Prices are also high compared to many countries. As of 2025, a pack of cigarettes typically costs around €11 to €12.

Quick Tips for Travelers

• Don’t assume beaches, parks, or outdoor attractions are smoking-friendly.

• Café terraces are your safest bet if you want to smoke in public.

• Look for signage—or just follow what locals are doing.

• Be extra cautious near schools, playgrounds, and public transport.