New Delhi, June 29 -- France on Sunday banned smoking in public areas such as parks and beaches, aiming to protect the crowd from passive smoke and create the country's first non-smoking generation.

The ban also applies to bus shelters and areas near libraries, swimming pools and schools, AFP reported.

The initiative was introduced one week before the start of school holidays in order to shield children from smoke on beaches.

However, the rules do not apply to all public spaces, which includes bar and restaurant terraces.

The rule also does not apply to electronic cigarettes.

"Frankly, I think it's ridiculous. We bring our own ashtrays and we're no longer allowed to smoke in parks, on beaches and so on," said Damien Dupois, a smoker....