Under regulations coming into effect from March, all types of car adverts will have to include messages like “Think about carpooling” and “Take public transit daily”, CTV News reports.

The messages have been compared to those already included in adverts for alcoholic drinks or gambling in most European countries.

Barbara Pompili, France’s minister for ecological transition, said: “Decarbonising transportation is not only switching to electric vehicles. It’s also using, when possible, public transit or bicycles.”

Companies which fail to abide by the new regulations will face fines of up to €50,000.