Starting Sunday, France will implement a nationwide ban on smoking in several public outdoor areas, including beaches, parks, public gardens, and bus shelters, as part of a broader push to protect public health—particularly children—from the dangers of passive smoking.

The new regulation, officially published in the government gazette on Saturday, also prohibits smoking near schools, libraries, swimming pools, and other child-friendly spaces. However, the ban does not apply to electronic cigarettes or smoking in café terraces, which remain exempt.

Health and Family Minister Catherine Vautrin, who had announced the initiative in May, emphasized the importance of safeguarding children’s health. “Tobacco must disappear from places where there are children,” she said, stressing their “right to breathe pure air.”

Violators of the new law will face a fine of €135 (approximately $158).

Tobacco use remains a major public health concern in France, with around 75,000 deaths each year attributed to smoking-related illnesses. The new restrictions align with growing public support for smoke-free environments: a recent poll found that 62% of French citizens support smoking bans in public areas.

The measure is part of France’s broader anti-smoking strategy aimed at reducing tobacco consumption and encouraging a smoke-free culture.