France is set to enforce a ban on a common object in public spaces in just a few days. Starting July 1, the European nation will prohibit smoking in parks, on beaches , and at bus stops – all outdoor areas that can be accessed by children. Known for its smokers, hanging out with cigarettes on cafe patios or walking along cobblestone roads, France has been ramping up its restrictions on tobacco use in public areas over the last few years. The latest ban in five days time is hoped to not only reduce the pollution of cigarette butts, but also lessen the risks caused by passive smoking. Health and family minister Catherine Vautrin said: “Tobacco must disappear where there are children.” She said that the freedom to smoke “stops where children’s right to breathe clean air starts”. The ban will also apply to schools, aiming to prevent students from smoking near them. According to Ms Vautrin, those who break the rules could be fined as much as €135 (£115). Ms Vautrin says that the police would uphold the ban, adding that the public would have the opportunity to “self-regulate.” French officials are gearing up to actively implement the new regulations, complete with signs and public awareness initiatives to encourage compliance. The July 1 ban expands the existing smoking regulations in France, which have prohibited smoking in restaurants and nightclubs since 2008. People can still smoke in cafes’ and bar terraces’ outdoor spaces. As it stands, e-cigarettes (vapes) aren’t part of this ban, although France is looking to tighten vaping rules soon. The UK government is said to be thinking about taking similar steps, according to a report by the BBC . Including potentially expanding laws in England to cover outdoor spots like playgrounds and hospital grounds to “shield kids and the most vulnerable from the dangers of second-hand smoke.” According to data, cigarette butts are the most commonly found item polluting beaches and waterways worldwide. In response to the upcoming ban, Chris Dorsett, Ocean Conservancy’s Vice President of Conservation, spoke about the positive impact the ban will have on ocean plastic pollution. He said: “Not only does banning smoking in public places protect public health, but it will also make a huge impact on keeping our oceans and beaches clean. According to Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup data, cigarette butts are the number one most commonly found item polluting beaches and waterways in Europe and worldwide. “In addition to shedding dangerous microplastic fibers, cigarette butts also leach chemicals into the environment, harming sensitive marine ecosystems. We applaud France for taking this important step to protect people and the environment from the threat of cigarette pollution.” Since 1986, volunteers with Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup have collected 63 million cigarette butts worldwide. In 2023 – the most recent year for which the organisation has data for so far, 323,431 cigarette butts were collected from beaches and waterways in Europe alone.