Proliferation of smoke-free beaches in France

Every year, new municipalities decide to ban smoking on their beaches. Designed on the model of smoke-free areas, where outdoor spaces are declared smoke-free by municipalities, the principle of a smoke-free beach is to denormalize smoking, especially among young people, while avoiding exposing the population to passive tobacco smoke.

Smoke-free beaches also significantly reduce waste and pollution caused by the littering of cigarette butts, which can represent up to a third of the waste collected.

Local initiatives driven by municipalities

Initiated in 2012 in Nice with the support of the League against Cancer, smoke-free beaches have multiplied over the years and there are now several dozen of them in France. One of the latest concerns the city of Le Touquet (62)[1]. Several websites list them.[2]. In most cases, fines are imposed for violators of this provision.

Just like smoke-free areas, smoke-free beaches are local initiatives that mainly concern municipalities, which can adopt innovative measures that go beyond legal obligations. A guide from the Interministerial Mission to Combat Drugs and Addictive Behavior (MILDECA), recently updated, brings together advice and recommendations for municipalities that would like to undertake this type of approach.[3]. Associations, such as the departmental sections of the League against Cancer[4], can support elected officials in this process.

A trend that is spreading across the world

Smoking bans on beaches are far from being a French speciality. They respond to a demand from the population, both non-smokers and smokers, and the phenomenon has particularly developed in the wake of the adoption of smoking bans in other public places.

Today more and more countries, such as Sweden, Finland[5] or theSpain[6], are adopting similar measures to ban smoking in outdoor public places.

Keywords: tobacco-free beaches, tobacco-free areas, municipalities©Tobacco Free Generation

M.F.

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[1] Le Touquet bans smoking on its entire beach, Actu.fr, published July 7, 2022, consulted July 13, 2022.[2] MAP - Smoke-free beaches: where are the sites where smoking is prohibited?, TF1 Info, published July 7, 2022, consulted July 13, 2022.[3] The mayor faces addictive behavior, Practical guide, MILDECA, 2022.[4] Smoke-free spaces to denormalize smoking and protect young people, The League against Cancer, published May 27, 2021, consulted July 13, 2022.[5] Finland, ahead of its targets, strengthens its arsenal to fight smoking, Generation Without Tobacco, published May 3, 2022, consulted July 13, 2022.[6] Barcelona bans smoking on beaches, Generation Without Tobacco, published July 7, 2022, consulted July 13, 2022.National Committee Against Smoking |