France is no stranger to making strict health regulations, and recently, the country announced its plan to ban smoking on beaches and in public parks in all states. This announcement was made by Environment Minister, Barbara Pompili, who shared that the government is taking more extreme measures to reduce secondhand smoke and enable people to enjoy public spaces without an inhalation hazard.
The ban includes any type of traditional or electronic smoking materials–cigarettes, cigars, hookahs, vapes, and the like. Public parks and beaches will be welcoming visitors with smoke-free air during both summer and winter seasons. Penalties are yet to be released, but individuals who choose to continue the traditional art of smoking in public parks will face consequences.
Pompili shared that the World Health Organization has urged France to take similar measures in the past, but this is the first time any action has been taken with the ban. This legislation is also the part of the measure for the global effort to reach ‘a tobacco-free world’ by the year 2045, a goal that has been set by the WHO.
Air pollution is recorded to cause over 50,000 premature deaths in France annually, so this move to a cleaner air atmosphere is expected to have an impact in the future. Many French citizens have expressed their support in favor of the ban, sharing that being around third-hand smoke is not ideal for individuals with allergies and respiratory issues.
It’s clear that the French government is determined to provide citizens with a safe and healthy environment to enjoy. With most of the nation’s natural scenery ranging from breathtaking mountain ranges to gloriously blue beaches, the ban is certainly an answer to those who believe public spaces should be free from smoke and toxic materials.