Prohibition of Vaping (Electronic Cigarette)
Verified 26 February 2025 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)
Where is it not possible to use e-cigarettes? Vaping is prohibited in schools and establishments for the reception, training and accommodation of minors. The same applies to closed means of public transport in workplaces, closed and covered for collective use. There are penalties. We're doing an update on the regulations.
In certain public or working places, it is forbidden use an e-cigarette:
Locations | Prohibition on vaping |
|---|---|
Public or private educational establishment (schools, colleges, high schools, universities) | YES |
Apprenticeship Training Centers (ATC) | YES |
Establishment intended, or regularly used, for the reception, training, accommodation or sports practice of minors | YES |
Health facility (excluding closed and covered collective workspaces without public reception as an operating room) | NO, unless the person in charge of the premises decides otherwise |
Public enclosed and covered place (restaurant, cafe, shopping center, disco, etc.) | NO, unless the person in charge of the premises decides otherwise |
Collective place of work without public reception | YES |
Collective workplace with public welcome | NO, unless the person in charge of the premises decides otherwise |
Individual office | NO, unless the person in charge of the premises decides otherwise |
Children's playground (park, public garden, etc.) | NO |
Rules and regulations The person responsible for the premises through the may decide to extend the prohibition vaping at all premises under his responsibility.
Please note
A hotel room is treated as a private place. The ban on vaping is based on a decision by the head of the institution.
No, the offering for sale, the sale, the distribution or thefree offer disposable e-cigarettes (the puffs ") are forbidden.
These prohibitions apply to non-liquid rechargeable devices, whether or not their batteries are rechargeable.
The penalty for this obligation is a fine of €100,000.
Sanctions against the person in charge of the premises
The person in charge of the premises is liable to a fine of up to €450 if it does not put up the required signs recalling the principle of the ban on vaping.
FYI
The employer must ensure that health and safety of its workers by setting up prevention, information and training measures.
Penalties against the user
Vaping in a public place is punishable by a fine of up to €150.
There are many people who can take action when the rules for vaping are broken.
Labor Inspection Control Officer or equivalent control officer
A control officer labor inspection or an equivalent control officer may identify violations of the prohibition on vaping. 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.
Officer of the Directorate General of Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Prevention (DGCCRF)
CFRB officers are responsible for investigating and detecting various offenses related to vaping devices (e.g., non-compliance with a maximum nicotine content, prohibition of certain additives, prohibition of advertising of all vaping products).
You can contact the DGCCRF by calling AnswerConso.
Who shall I contact
0809 540 550 DGCCRF - ResponseConso
Having trouble following a purchase? Do you have a question about a point of law before buying or ordering?
You can get an answer from a DGCCRFDGCCRF : Directorate-General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Prevention by calling the 0809 540 550.
Opening hours of the service:
No surtax number
- Monday and Tuesday: from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm and from 1:15 pm to 5:15 pm
- Wednesday: 13:15 to 17:15
- Thursday: from 8:30 to 12:30
- Friday: from 8:30 am to 4 pm
Employee
A person who wants lodge a complaint must contact 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.
Some associations
Associations declared at least 5 years ago at the time of the events, whose statutes provide for the fight against smoking, may civil party.
The same applies to approved consumer associations and family associations attached to the National Union of Family Associations (Unaf).
Places where vaping is prohibited (section L3513-6)
Prohibition on vaping
Penalty for the user (Article R3515-7) and for the person responsible for the premises (Article R3515-8)
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