France announced a nationwide smoking ban that has shocked both travelers and residents alike.

On Thursday, Health Minister Catherine Vautrin announced a comprehensive smoking ban that will take effect in France starting July 1. The smoking ban makes it so that where there are children and families, there will be no cigarettes being smoked.

The announcement was made on the heels of No Tobacco Day in France, which is observed today in the country. Vautrin stated that the areas where smoking would no longer be allowed included:

While this is a fairly expansive list, Vautrin stated she was not going to limit herself to what she was or was not going to ban smokers from, indicating more areas may be prohibited in the future.

While the smoking ban may seem like an overnight decision, it was actually supposed to take effect in 2024. However, only the increase in the price of a pack of cigarettes was realized.

The ban will go into effect on July 1, 2025. Therefore, visitors and residents should not be anticipating a repeat of 2024's smoking laws not coming to fruition. However, the price of cigarettes in France will not be changing this year, something that will likely be held for at least another year so that officials can determine if the anti-smoking laws decrease smoking overall in France.

French officials have been under pressure for years by anti-smoking groups to have stricter smoking laws in the city. This is because each year, 75,000 people in France die from complications related to smoking, and with second-hand smoke being a killer as well, children are facing health consequences when continuously exposed to smoke.

To decrease the number of children being exposed to second-hand smoke, Health Minister Vautrin thought it best to introduce laws that keep smoking in public to a minimum.

While France is often seen as the country where smoking is as natural breathing, a majority of the population is in favor of a smoking ban. In fact, according to France 24, six out of 10 people favor limiting areas where it is acceptable in public to smoke.

This is not the first smoking ban to go into effect in France. Smoking bans over the years in France include:

The French government aims to achieve a "tobacco-free generation" by 2032. With cities throughout the country taking steps to achieve this goal and the new anti-smoking laws set to take effect soon, this ambitious objective may become a reality.

While a slew of places will become smoke-free on July 1 in France, those who want to enjoy smoking their cigarettes in public will still have a few options.

Places like café terraces, hotel balconies, and designated smoking areas in restaurants and bars will still be available for smokers.

Additionally, for those who would consider trading in their cigarettes for electronic cigarettes, there is no ban on where e-cigarettes can be smoked in France. Therefore, this option may offer a bit more flexibility for those who wish to smoke while traveling.

Smokers must pay attention when entering public places, as signs will be posted stating whether the area is smoke-free or not. If it is designated as such and smokers are caught lighting up, a massive fee will be imposed. This will not only put a damper on the experience of exploring France but also cost money that could have been better spent on indulging in the finer things only France can offer.