Bad news for French cigar smokers

[Li Bai]

If you're planning on visiting France and enjoy cigars this summer, you might want to read this...

https://www.cigars-connect.com/le-tabac-interdit-sur-les-plages-et-dans-les-jardins-publics-a-partir-du-1er-juillet/

[amberleaf]

You're more likely to force a Frenchman to be faithful to his wife than to stop them smoking wherever they want.

As someone who visits France often I'm almost certain it will be ignored and won't be enforced. Only a year ago I wandered into the bar of the hotel I was staying at to find the owner and half a dozen patrons smoking away. At a 2023 RWC game in Nice there were smoking areas in the stands with some people smoking in their seats!

 

[Li Bai]

I don't know, many cafés in Paris have turned their terrasses smoke-free the last few years, something one couldn't imagine even 5 years ago.

But you're right, I can't see it being strongly enforced... I'll keep you all posted.

[bmac]

My aunt just returned from France and she said people smoked everywhere. She was shocked.

[Marco_011t556]

I was in Paris back to 2023 and had a coffee in a cafe.

I asked: "can I smoke here?" (Sitting outside of the cafe, no ceiling/ shelf on top.)

Owner: "yes, sure!" 

Then I burned my D4… 

Owner: "Sir, sorry you can only smoke cigarette but not cigar, too smoky!"😂😂

[Li Bai]

6 hours ago, Marco_011t556 said:

Owner: "Sir, sorry you can only smoke cigarette but not cigar, too smoky!" 😂😂

Typical

[JohnS]

I'll found out more (about this) later this year!

[Arabian]

8 hours ago, bmac said:

My aunt just returned from France and she said people smoked everywhere. She was shocked.

Smoking in many parts of Europe is very common. Here in Saudi Arabia a cigarette + black coffee is a delicious breakfast. 

8 hours ago, Li Bai said:

I don't know, many cafés in Paris have turned their terrasses smoke-free the last few years, something one couldn't imagine even 5 years ago.

But you're right, I can't see it being strongly enforced... I'll keep you all posted.

One solution that many cafes/restaurants do is to split their establishment into two sections. Smoking area/non-smoking. a cafe without a visible ashtray placed outside is a no-no. 

[Vetteman]

19 hours ago, Marco_011t556 said:

I was in Paris back to 2023 and had a coffee in a cafe.
I asked: "can I smoke here?" (Sitting outside of the cafe, no ceiling/ shelf on top.)
Owner: "yes, sure!" 
Then I burned my D4… 
Owner: "Sir, sorry you can only smoke cigarette but not cigar, too smoky!"

This was my experience in many bars, restaurants, etc. in the US before smoking was banned. I never understood how 20 people smoking cigarette after cigarette wasn’t worse than 1 or 2 cigars.

[Habanoschris]

11 hours ago, JohnS said:

I'll found out more (about this) later this year!

Are you planning a trip to France later this year John?  
*or you mean research-wise  

[Miguel Gracias]

Go to croatia… had blasting time for a night. 

[Cigarsmoker81]

When I was there last year there were several cafes in Paris that told me I can smoke cigarette but not cigar…I was puzzled but I respected their decision and left 

[VeguerosMAN]

On 5/30/2025 at 11:04 AM, bmac said:

My aunt just returned from France and she said people smoked everywhere. She was shocked.

I am assuming most of them are cigarette smokers, not cigars, correct?  

[BoliDan]

On 5/30/2025 at 8:42 AM, Li Bai said:

I don't know, many cafés in Paris have turned their terrasses smoke-free the last few years, something one couldn't imagine even 5 years ago.

But you're right, I can't see it being strongly enforced... I'll keep you all posted.

That's how it happened in the US. Growing up everyone smoked. Then they started banning them in bars and other public places. I was shocked about the bars since it was adults only and was mad about it. But ultimately, smoking became more annoying with all the barriers and I just quit. Now, virtually no one smokes cigarettes. I can see France wanting to end their smoking culture.