France will ban smoking in all outdoor places that can be frequented by children from July 1, Health and Family Minister Catherine Vautrin has announced.

The comprehensive measure aims to protect young people from tobacco exposure in public spaces.

"Tobacco must disappear where there are children," Vautrin said in an interview with Ouest-France daily.

She added that "the freedom to smoke must end where the freedom of children to breathe fresh air begins."

The ban represents France's most extensive outdoor smoking restriction to date, targeting areas where children are commonly present

The ban represents France's most extensive outdoor smoking restriction to date, targeting areas where children are commonly present.

The ban will cover beaches, parks, public gardens, outside schools, bus stops and sports venues, with violators facing fines of €135 (£113).

However, the outdoor areas of cafes and bars - known as terrasses - will be exempt from the new restrictions.

Vautrin explained that regular police would enforce the ban but added that she was a great believer in "self-regulation."

"Tobacco must disappear where there are children," Health and Family Minister Catherine Vautrin said in an interview

Electronic cigarettes are also exempt from the outdoor smoking ban, though Vautrin said she was working to introduce limits on the amounts of nicotine they contain.

According to the French Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction, 23.1 per cent of the French population smokes on a daily basis - the lowest percentage ever recorded, and a fall of over five points since 2014.

France's National Committee Against Smoking says more than 75,000 smokers die each year of tobacco-related illnesses - 13 per cent of all deaths.

Smoking in establishments like restaurants and nightclubs has been banned in France since 2008.

According to the French Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction, 23.1 per cent of the French population smokes on a daily basis (stock pic)

Widespread measures to ban smoking on beaches, parks and other public places were meant to start in 2024, but the decree needed was never adopted.

However, more than 1,500 municipalities have already voluntarily banned smoking in public places and hundreds of beaches across France have been non-smoking for several years.

A recent report by France cancer association La Ligue Contre le Cancer shows almost 80 per cent of French people are in favour of a ban on smoking in public places like woodland, beaches, parks and terrasses.