Marisol Touraine told the Journal du Dimanche newspaper she wanted to see more tobacco-free zones, to protect children's health.
The Socialist minister said she hoped smoking would also be banned outside schools and on university campuses.
Smoke-free beaches have appeared in some French resorts in recent years.
The town of La Ciotat, near Marseille on the Mediterranean coast, was among the first to create such a beach in 2011, introducing a fine of 38 euros (£33; $50) for offenders.
Similar steps have been taken elsewhere in the world, notably in New York City, which prohibited smoking on beaches and in parks the same year. » | Tuesday, July 23, 2013
