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Factbox-How smoking bans are evolving across Europe
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on May 30, 2025
4 min readLast updated: January 23, 2026
Global Banking & Finance Review®
Company
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on May 30, 2025
4 min readLast updated: January 23, 2026
Explore how smoking bans are evolving across Europe, with countries like France and the UK implementing stricter regulations in public spaces.
By Dimitri Rhodes and Leo Marchandon
(Reuters) - France plans to ban smoking in all outdoor places frequented by children, including beaches, parks, public gardens and areas near schools, from July 1, the government said.
Smoking in France is at its lowest since records began in the 1990s, with just under a quarter of people aged 18-75 smoking daily.
Other countries across Europe are also taking steps to deal with smoking.
Austria:
Smoking has been banned in all enclosed public spaces, including bars and restaurants, since a strict ban was reintroduced in 2019. In venues larger than 50 metres squared, enclosed smoking rooms are permitted as long as they do not allow smoke to penetrate non-smoking areas.
Bulgaria:
A total ban on smoking exists in all public places. The implementation of regulations in bars faces challenges despite the complete ban in the country, which has the highest rate of smokers in Europe.
Czech Republic:
Smoking is prohibited in closed spaces, with exceptions for structurally separated smoking areas. As of May 2017, a stricter ban was implemented on smoking in all restaurants and bars. Smoking is also banned in schools and public transport, and local municipalities can extend bans to playgrounds and sports venues.
Denmark:
Smoking is banned in most public spaces, including workplaces and public transport, with exceptions for designated smoking rooms or cabins. Small bars with a serving area smaller than 40 metres squared may permit smoking.
Finland:
Smoking is prohibited in workplaces and public spaces, with allowances for designated smoking rooms meeting specific ventilation standards. Outdoor smoking is banned near childcare and educational facilities. Finland is aiming to prohibit smoking entirely in the long-term.
Germany:
Bans are implemented at the state level, generally prohibiting smoking in public spaces while allowing separate smoking rooms. Complete bans exist in certain states like Bavaria, with smaller establishments that do not serve food possibly exempt.
Greece:
A total ban on smoking in public places is enforced, with exceptions made for large entertainment centers and casinos. A 2019 law expanded restrictions, including bans on vaping and stricter enforcement, although compliance remains a challenge in the country with the second-highest rate of smoking in Europe.
Italy:
Smoking is banned in public places, including workplaces and restaurants, with allowances for ventilated smoking rooms covering less than half the serving area.
Netherlands:
Smoking is banned in enclosed public spaces, with exceptions for designated smoking rooms, while outdoor smoking is permitted.
Poland:
Smoking is banned in most public places, including workplaces and public transport, with exceptions for designated smoking rooms. Restaurants and bars may allow smoking in rooms with proper ventilation that prevent smoke from spreading.
Spain:
A total ban exists on smoking in public places, with exceptions for private smoking clubs. Barcelona banned smoking on beaches in 2022. Andalusia, the Balearics, the Canaries, Galicia and Valencia have partial or total bans on beach smoking. Future plans aim to extend bans to open-air venues like stadiums.
Sweden:
A 2019 extension of Sweden's smoking ban includes outdoor areas such as outdoor restaurant terraces and several public outdoor spaces such as bus stops, train platforms, entrances of public buildings, schoolyards, playgrounds and sports fields. Smoking has been banned indoors in restaurants since 2005.
United Kingdom:
Britain introduced the Tobacco and Vapes Bill to parliament in November 2024, which proposed a ban on smoking outside schools, hospitals and playgrounds. The bill includes some of the world's strictest anti-smoking rules, including banning children born since 2009 from ever being able to buy cigarettes.
(Compiled by Dimitri Rhodes and Leo Marchandon; Editing by Nia Williams)
France plans to ban smoking in all outdoor places frequented by children, including beaches, parks, public gardens, and areas near schools, starting July 1.
Smoking in France is at its lowest since records began in the 1990s, with just under a quarter of people aged 18-75 smoking daily.
Austria has banned smoking in all enclosed public spaces, including bars and restaurants, since a strict ban was reintroduced in 2019.
Yes, Greece enforces a total ban on smoking in public places but allows exceptions for large entertainment centers and casinos.
The UK introduced the Tobacco and Vapes Bill in November 2024, proposing a ban on smoking outside schools, hospitals, and playgrounds, making it one of the strictest in the world.
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