France, which regarded smoking as a refined cultural code and "a symbol of resistance," will enforce the most comprehensive smoking ban in history starting next month on the 1st.
According to the Associated Press (AP) on the 3rd (local time), the French government will designate most public areas, including beaches, parks, forests, and near schools, as smoke-free zones starting July 1. A maximum fine of 135 euros (about 200,000 won) will be imposed for smoking in these areas.
Catherine Boutron, the French Minister of Health, said, "Smoking should disappear from places where children are present," adding, "The freedom to smoke ends where children’s right to breathe clean air begins."
In France, smoking is more than just a mere luxury item. Great authors like Jean-Paul Sartre and Albert Camus viewed smoking as a symbol of freedom, resistance, and artistic inspiration.
Famous French filmmakers, who dominated the global art film market, included smoking scenes in their works.
According to a 2021 report by the Ligue Contre le Cancer (French League Against Cancer), smoking scenes appeared in over 90% of French films from 2015 to 2019. The rebellious smoking scenes on the Champs-Élysées from Jean-Luc Godard's films and the bohemian smoke showcased by Brigitte Bardot in "God Made Woman" are particularly representative.
AP noted, "The image of sitting at a street café terrace enjoying a cigarette with espresso symbolizes Parisians."
The cost of glamorizing smoking in such a cool and attractive manner has been harsh. According to French health authorities, about 75,000 people die each year from smoking-related diseases in France. This accounts for about 13% of all deaths in France, far exceeding the number of annual deaths at the start of the pandemic (approximately 67,000 in 2020).
The French National Institute of Health and Medical Research pointed out that French society bears enormous social expenses due to smoking. According to the institute's research, the healthcare expenditures and productivity loss caused by smoking amount to an annual 156 billion euros (about 228 trillion won).
Moreover, an estimated 20,000 to 25,000 tons of cigarette butts annually are cited as a major culprit harming the aesthetics of major French cities, where tourism is significant, and polluting the environment.
AP reported, "In Paris alone, more than 2 billion cigarette butts are thrown on the streets every year." Surveys indicate that 78% of French people support the policy banning smoking in extensive public areas. More than 1,600 municipal governments have voluntarily created over 7,000 new smoke-free zones.
The new smoking ban policy signals a fundamental shift in the perception of smoking and smoking culture within French society, extending beyond mere public health policy.
As of 2021, the smoking rate among French adults is approximately 29.2%, well above the European Union (EU) average of about 23%. The EU is currently implementing the Tobacco-Free Generation plan, aiming to reduce the smoking rate to below 5% by 2040. The target must be achieved within 15 years, lowering the smoking rate to about 25%.
Experts have assessed that this measure is a key step toward achieving the Tobacco-Free Generation goal.
Dr. Daniel Thomas, a spokesperson for the Tobacco Research Society, expressed optimism in an interview with a French media outlet, saying, "Expanding spaces where smoking is not allowed will particularly help prevent smoking initiation among youth and encourage smokers to quit."
Some critics argue that this measure excessively infringes on tolerance and individual freedom, values that France holds dearly. There are also concerns that the stronger smoking ban could harm France's unique café culture, which has been preserved for a long time.