Nationwide Decree Eliminates Cigarettes from Queues, Chairlifts, and Pistes Starting 2025/2026 Season
A new national public health measure, solidified by Decree No. 2025-582 and effective for the 2025/2026 winter season, has formally outlawed smoking across nearly all outdoor public spaces within French ski resorts, marking a significant shift in mountain regulations.
The ban, which extends the nation’s smoke-free policy to high-altitude areas, specifically targets active skiing zones. Enforcement is mandatory on all ski slopes, lift queues, and onboard chairlifts and gondolas. Officials have clarified that the decision is final and applies regardless of altitude.
“The ban applies to all ski slopes, regardless of altitude, all lift systems, and waiting lines,” confirmed a spokesperson for France Montagnes, the national promotional body, who added that a public awareness campaign is underway featuring compliance slogans such as, “The view is breathtaking enough as it is.”
What are the fines and exemptions for smoking?
Under the new regulations, certain areas remain exempt. Smoking is still permitted on resort streets, in designated off-piste areas, and on restaurant and bar terraces, subject to the specific rules of the establishment. The use of e-cigarettes and vaping devices has been explicitly excluded from the prohibition.
Resort municipalities are currently establishing clearly marked “designated smoking zones,” typically located near main resort hubs and mountain restaurants, to provide legal areas for smokers.
Enforcement will be localized, with the power to set penalties resting with the local mayor. Fines for violating the ban can range from a minimum of €68 up to €1,500 for serious or repeat offenses.
Why have the French banned smoking in ski resorts?
While health concerns for both skiers and resort workers drive the policy, environmental preservation is a core justification for the nationwide regulation.
The environmental group Mountain Riders reported recovering over 60,000 cigarette butts during a single cleanup operation in the French mountains, underscoring the severity of the litter problem. Environmental agencies warn that a single discarded cigarette filter can contaminate up to 500 liters of water and one cubic meter of snow. With the spring snowmelt, toxins leach directly into mountain streams and groundwater systems.
The national move follows a successful pilot program established by the resort of Les Gets in 2022, which was the first in Europe to prohibit smoking on its slopes. According to the resort, feedback, even from habitual smokers, has been “excellent,” proving the viability and popularity of a smoke-free mountain environment.
The French ban is expected to be closely monitored by other alpine countries and European resorts considering similar anti-smoking measures.
