France upholds smoking bans in public spaces and regulates vaping

The French Council of State has ruled that a 2025 decree extending smoking bans to various public areas is not a disproportionate police measure. The decree expands prohibitions to include bus shelters, public parks, gardens, beaches, areas near libraries, sports facilities, and educational institutions. While challengers argued the ban lacked sufficient epidemiological evidence regarding outdoor passive smoking risks, the Council affirmed that the Prime Minister has the authority to implement public health measures to protect the principle of smoke-free collective spaces.

In the vaping sector, distributors in France face a dense regulatory landscape. Under the transposition of European Directive 2014/40/EU, strict standards govern nicotine concentration, container size, and product composition. Nicotine levels are capped at 20 mg/ml, with nicotine-containing liquids limited to 10 ml containers. Additionally, substances such as vitamins, caffeine, and certain colorants are prohibited in e-liquids. Retailers must also comply with age verification, advertising bans, and requirements for the recycling of used devices.