On July 1, France bans smoking in a number of public places. This includes beaches, parks, public gardens, sports facilities, bus stops, and near schools.
Where there are children, tobacco must disappear, says Health Minister Cathrine Vautrin, according to Le Figaro.
Those who defy the ban risk fines of 135 euros, equivalent to almost 1,500 kronor.
France is one of the European countries with the highest proportion of smokers, according to several surveys, with as many as every third adult. According to the Health Minister, smoking kills 75,000 people in the country every year.
In France, there have been smoking bans in various types of public places, but they are decided locally and not by the government.
The new nationwide ban does not include outdoor seating areas and does not apply to e-cigarettes.
