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France to Enforce Smoking Ban in Child-Friendly Outdoor Spaces from July 1
France will implement a new smoking ban in outdoor public spaces frequented by children starting July 1, Health Minister Catherine Vautrin announced on Thursday. The measure is part of the government’s broader National Tobacco Control Programme, which was first introduced in November 2023 to curb tobacco use and reduce smoking-related deaths.
The new regulation prohibits smoking in areas such as public parks, beaches, playgrounds, sports facilities, bus shelters, and the vicinity of schools. Offenders could face a €135 fine for violating the ban. While the restriction does not currently extend to café and bar terraces, Vautrin did not dismiss the possibility of future limitations in those areas.
“Wherever there are children, smoking must disappear,” Vautrin told Ouest France, emphasizing that the aim is to create “a smoke-free generation.”
Although the ban targets traditional cigarette use, electronic cigarettes will still be allowed in these spaces for now. However, the French government plans to tighten regulations on e-cigarettes by mid-2026, including lowering permitted nicotine levels and limiting the variety of available flavours.
The detailed scope of the law is still under review by France’s Council of State (Conseil d’État), the top advisory body responsible for vetting proposed regulations. Vautrin said the government would rely on local officials to apply the rules in a practical and effective manner.
The new smoking restrictions are being rolled out amid strong public support. According to a recent survey conducted by the cancer prevention group La Ligue contre le cancer, 79% of respondents supported the ban in child-friendly outdoor spaces, and 83% were in favour of extending similar restrictions to e-cigarettes.
Each year, smoking claims approximately 75,000 lives in France. The government has identified tobacco control as a public health priority and, in 2023, outlined 26 measures to address the issue. These include increasing tobacco prices, mandating plain packaging, and restricting access to vaping products.
France’s move follows a similar announcement by Spain, which plans to ban smoking in various public areas such as restaurant terraces, university campuses, work vehicles, and outdoor sporting events. Both countries are taking firmer steps toward reducing tobacco-related harm and promoting healthier public environments.
News
Investigation Underway After Goa Nightclub Fire Kills at Least 25
Authorities in the Indian state of Goa have opened an investigation into a nightclub fire that killed at least 25 people, including several tourists, in one of the region’s most popular party districts. Six others were injured in the blaze, which broke out shortly after midnight in Arpora, a nightlife hub about 25 kilometres from the state capital, Panaji.
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant confirmed the death toll in a statement posted on X, saying the victims included many of the club’s kitchen staff and a small number of visiting tourists. He added that all the injured were in stable condition and receiving medical treatment. Rescue teams recovered all bodies from the site.
Early reports from local police, cited by the Press Trust of India, indicated that a gas cylinder explosion triggered the fire. Witnesses, however, told the agency that the blaze appeared to start on the club’s first floor, where nearly 100 tourists were dancing at the time. As smoke and flames swept through the building, many people ran toward the lower floor, where they became trapped along with staff members.
Sawant said a formal inquiry would determine the exact cause and whether the club complied with fire safety regulations. He pledged strict action against anyone found responsible, writing on X that any negligence uncovered by investigators would be “dealt with firmly”.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic as patrons attempted to flee the burning building. “We rushed out of the club only to see that the entire structure was up in flames,” said Fatima Shaikh, who was inside when the fire began.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered condolences in a message on X, calling the incident “deeply saddening” and wishing the injured a swift recovery.
Local media reported that the club’s location along the Arpora River backwaters posed challenges for emergency crews. A narrow approach road forced fire engines to park about 400 metres from the entrance, slowing their response. Reports also revealed that the building had previously received a demolition notice after officials found it lacked a construction permit. That order was later withdrawn by senior state authorities, according to Arpora councillor Roshan Redkar.
Incidents involving gas cylinders and electrical faults are not unusual in India and often lead to heavy casualties, prompting renewed calls for stronger enforcement of safety standards. Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi criticised the tragedy as a “criminal failure of safety and governance” and urged a transparent investigation to establish accountability and prevent future disasters.
The probe into the fire is expected to assess structural safety, emergency exits and compliance with existing regulations as authorities work to piece together how the late-night gathering turned into one of the deadliest incidents in the state in recent years.
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