France is implementing stricter anti-smoking measures in public spaces with a new outdoor smoking ban aimed at improving air quality for future generations.

Effective July 1, smoking will be prohibited in various outdoor locations across France, including beaches, parks, gardens, bus stops, sports arenas, and areas near schools, according to reports from the BBC and Agence France-Presse (AFP).

Health and Family Minister Catherine Vautrin stated in an interview with the French regional newspaper Ouest-France on Thursday that the ban is especially important “where there are children.”

“The freedom to smoke must end where the freedom of children to breathe fresh air begins,” she added.

Violators of the new regulations could face fines of up to $153, AFP reported. Police will primarily enforce the ban, with Vautrin also emphasizing the importance of public “self-regulation.”

However, the ban excludes the iconic French “terrasses,” the lively outdoor seating areas of cafés.

Patrons can still smoke while enjoying coffee and pastries at café tables, as these social spaces, considered a national institution, will not be affected, the BBC confirmed.

E-cigarettes are currently exempt from the restrictions, but Vautrin informed Ouest-France that her office is considering future regulations on nicotine levels in vaping products.

This initiative represents a significant expansion of France’s existing anti-smoking laws.

Smoking has been prohibited in restaurants, nightclubs, and indoor public spaces since 2008. Local efforts to curb smoking have been increasing. AFP reports that over 1,500 French municipalities have already implemented their own outdoor smoking bans, and hundreds of beaches have been smoke-free for several years.

According to data from the French Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction, cited by the BBC, only 23.1% of French adults smoke daily, which is the lowest recorded level and a decrease of more than five percentage points since 2014.

Nevertheless, smoking-related illnesses remain a major cause of death. France’s National Committee Against Smoking reports over 75,000 annual deaths from smoking, representing approximately 13% of all deaths in the country.

There appears to be strong support for the new regulations. A report by La Ligue Contre le Cancer, a leading French cancer association, revealed that nearly 80% of French citizens support smoke-free public areas such as parks, beaches, and woodlands.

Despite widespread support, some have expressed concerns about balancing public health with individual freedoms. Some conservatives may view the ban as an example of excessive government intervention.

Travelers to France should be aware of the new restrictions this summer to avoid potential fines.

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