Prohibition of smoking - Smoking
Verified 13 January 2025 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)
Does the ban on smoking apply to all areas of everyday life? It relates in particular to enclosed public places (examples: cafes and restaurants). Smoking areas can be arranged. Smoking is also prohibited in public transport, schools, children's playgrounds and the workplace. There are many opportunities for people to quit smoking. We're laying out the regulations for you.
In all places closed audiences or work, smoking is prohibited except in areas designed for this purpose.
Locations | Prohibition of smoking | The smoking area |
|---|---|---|
Public or private educational establishment (schools, colleges, high schools, universities) | YES | NO |
Apprenticeship Training Centers (ATC) | YES | NO |
Establishment intended, or regularly used, for the reception, training, accommodation or sports practice of minors | YES | NO |
Health care facilities | YES | NO |
Public enclosed and covered place (restaurant, cafe, shopping center, disco, etc.) | YES | YES |
Collective place of work without public reception | YES | YES |
Collective workplace with public welcome | YES | YES |
Individual office | YES | NO |
Public transport | YES | NO |
It is also prohibited to smoking in a car in the presence of minors and in a collective playground (park, public garden...).
Sanctions against the person in charge of the premises
The person in charge of the premises (the coffee maker, for example) is liable to a fine of up to €750, if it's in any of the following:
- It does not put up the signs that are intended to refer to the principle of not smoking or vaping
- It provides smokers with a reserved area that does not comply with the required technical standards
- It voluntarily encourages, by whatever means, the violation of the smoking ban.
Penalties against the user
Smoking in a place for collective use outside the designated area shall be punishable by a fine of up to €450.
Smoking in a vehicle in presence of a minor shall be punished by a fine of up to €750.
Natural and legal persons (e.g. associations) may report a violation of the smoking ban.
Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement
Any person
Any person of a company may complain.
They have to go to the public prosecutor or the police to give a statement. The offense must be recorded by a judicial police officer. He may enter the company only with the authorization of the employer or after having received a warrant from an investigating judge.
Supervisory officer of the labor inspector
The labor inspector's supervising officer or an equivalent control officer may ascertain infringements of the prohibition on smoking. In this case, he shall draw up a report in duplicate, one of which shall be sent to the Prefect of the department and the other shall be lodged at the parquet floor.
Associations declared for at least 5 years
The registered associations for at least five years at the date of the facts and whose statutes provide for the fight against smoking may be carried out civil party.
Authorized consumer associations
Authorized consumer associations whose statutes provide for the fight against smoking may civil party.
Family associations attached to Unaf
The family associations attached to the National Union of Family Associations (Unaf) may civil party.
Vous avez choisi
Choisissez votre cas
Any person
Any person of a company may complain.
They have to go to the public prosecutor or the police to give a statement. The offense must be recorded by a judicial police officer. He may enter the company only with the authorization of the employer or after having received a warrant from an investigating judge.
Supervisory officer of the labor inspector
The labor inspector's supervising officer or an equivalent control officer may ascertain infringements of the prohibition on smoking. In this case, he shall draw up a report in duplicate, one of which shall be sent to the Prefect of the department and the other shall be lodged at the parquet floor.
Associations declared for at least 5 years
The registered associations for at least five years at the date of the facts and whose statutes provide for the fight against smoking may be carried out civil party.
Authorized consumer associations
Authorized consumer associations whose statutes provide for the fight against smoking may civil party.
Family associations attached to Unaf
The family associations attached to the National Union of Family Associations (Unaf) may civil party.
There are nicotine substitutes. This is a drug treatment that increases the chances of successfully quitting smoking.
Nicotine replacement products on the list of nicotine replacement products reimbursed shall be reimbursed to 65% on medical prescription.
The part of the expenses that remains at your expense (after reimbursement of the Sickness Insurance and before deduction of the flat-rate participations) can be supported by the complementary.
FYI
Pharmacies may waive the fee for these products in advance.
It is also possible to get help with your journey and to be accompanied free of charge.
Who shall I contact
39 89 - Tobacco info service
Advice, information and guidance to help quit smoking.
By telephone
39,89
No surtax number.
The service is free.
You can ask to be called back.
Open from Monday to Saturday from 8am to 8pm.
This service is accessible to people who are deaf or hard of hearing through the Acceo platform :
- Monday to Friday from 9 am to 5:30 pm
- Saturday from 9am to 12.30pm.
Prohibition of smoking in places designated for collective use
Prohibition of smoking in places designated for collective use
Prohibition of smoking in a car in the presence of a minor (Article L3512-9)
Service-Public.fr
Public Health France
National Health Insurance Fund (Cnam)
National Health Insurance Fund (Cnam)