Smoking Ban - Smoking

Verified 23 July 2025 - Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

Does the smoking ban apply to all places of daily life? It concerns closed public places (e.g. cafés 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 explain the regulations you need to know.

In all places closed audiences or work, smoking is prohibited except in spaces designed for this purpose.

Tableau - Prohibition of smoking

Places

Prohibition of smoking

Layout Smoking area

  • Public or private educational institution (schools, colleges, high schools, universities)
  • Area of public space included in a radius of 10 meters from the entrances to schools, colleges and high schools.

YES

NO

Apprenticeship Training Centers (CFA)

YES

NO

  • Establishment intended, or regularly used, for the reception, training, accommodation or sport of minors
  • Area of public space included in a radius of 10 meters from establishments intended, or regularly used, for the reception, training and accommodation of minors

YES

NO

Health facility

YES

NO

Enclosed and covered public place (restaurant, cafe, shopping center, nightclub, etc.)

YES

YES

Collective workplace without public reception

YES

YES

Collective workplace with public welcome

YES

YES

Individual Office

YES

NO

Public transport (including bus shelters during working hours)

YES

NO

Beach during the seaside season

YES

NO

Public park and garden

YES

NO

It is also prohibited to smoking in a car in the presence of a minor and in a collective playground.

Smoking is permitted in designated premises, provided by the person or organization responsible for the premises.

Such premises shall:

  • Respect technical standards precise (e.g. mechanical ventilation air extraction device for air renewal)
  • And guarantee the safety of non-smokers.

These are closed rooms, used for tobacco consumption where no services (e.g. cafeteria) can be provided.

The installation of a smoking room is not an obligation.

Minors are not allowed to enter these reserved areas. Specific signs must be affixed at the entrance.

The person in charge of the premises may decide to extend the smoking ban to all premises under his responsibility, if this measure is justified and proportionate to the intended purpose.

FYI  

The creation of designated smoking areas cannot take place in schools, colleges, high schools, universities or health facilities.

Sanctions against the person responsible for the premises

The person in charge of the premises (the coffee maker for example) is liable to a fine of up to €750, if he's in one of the following:

  • It does not put on the signage that is intended to recall the principle of the prohibition of smoking or vaping
  • It provides a reserved area for smokers that does not meet the required technical standards
  • It willfully promotes, by whatever means, the violation of the smoking ban.

Sanctions against the user

Smoking in a place for collective use outside the place reserved for this purpose is punishable by a fine of up to €750.

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.

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Any person

Any person of a company may lodge a complaint.

She must address the public prosecutor or the police station to make a statement. The offense must be established by a judicial police officer. He may enter the company only with the authorization of the employer or after receiving a warrant from an investigating judge.

Labor Inspector's Control Officer

The control officer of the labor inspector or a similar control officer may find violations of the smoking ban. In this case, he draws up a report in duplicate, one of which is sent to the prefect of the department and the other is deposited at the parquet.

Associations declared for at least 5 years

The declared associations for at least 5 years at the time of the facts and whose statutes provide for the fight against smoking may civil party.

Authorized consumer associations

Registered consumer associations whose statutes provide for the control of tobacco use may civil party.

Family associations attached to the Unaf

The family associations attached to the National Union of Family Associations (Unaf) may apply civil party.

There are nicotine substitutes. It is a drug treatment that increases the chances of successfully quitting smoking.

Nicotine substitutes on the list of reimbursed nicotine substitutes shall be reimbursed to 65% on medical prescription.

The part of the expenses that remains at your expense (after reimbursement of the Health Insurance and before deduction of lump-sum contributions) can be supported by the complementary.

FYI  

Pharmacies may waive the advance fee for these products.

It is also possible to get help in your process 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 phone

    39,89

    Number not overtaxed.

    The service is free.

    You can request to be recalled.

    Open 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.