France will prohibit smoking on beaches and parks, public gardens and bus shelters since Sunday, the government said.
The decree, published in the Official Gazette of the Government on Saturday, will also prohibit smoking outside the libraries, pools and schools, and aims to protect children from passive smoking.
The decree did not mention electronic cigarettes. Prohibition offenders will face a fine of € 135 (RS44,849).
“Tobacco must disappear from the places where there are children,” said Minister of Health and Family, Catherine Vautrin, in May, underlining “the right of children to breathe pure air.”
The cafeteria terraces are excluded from the ban.
It is estimated that some 75,000 people die from complications related to tobacco every year in France.
According to a recent opinion survey, six out of 10 French (62 percent) favor a smoking prohibition in public places.
