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French Smoking Ban in Force
France is beginning to phase out smoking in public areas. From February 1st 2007, a partial smoking ban begins. France's health minister is being positive about the move and hopes that the French public will be able to respect the issue and uphold the new law.
But France is not known for complete law obeyance and authorities are expecting violations. The nature and extent of these violations cannot be fully anticipated, but in other countries, the ban on smoking has gone through with relatively little fuss or trouble. Procedures for violators are being introduced, but as yet there are no means to punish them and the law, effectively, is toothless - for a while at least. Health authorities will be responsible for punishments when they come - the police have better things to do.
Offices and other public buildings are affected by the ban. France are making a stepwise entry into the healthier non-smoking market and a future, more wide, ban will come into force in 2008. This latter legislation will cover cafes, bars and restaurants, hotels and casinos.
There is, inevitably, the plaintiff cry of the pro-smoking movement, with the claim that the ban is an infringement of civil liberties. But, France is only following the lead of other nations who have not only implemented the smoking ban successfully, but also seen a lower rate of some significant diseases.
With foresight, many institutions have already started the ban of smoking ahead of the 2008 deadline and, hopefully, others will follow suit before the end of the year. France follows countries such as Italy, Scotland and Ireland in the implementation of public non-smoking legislation.
Do you want to quit smoking? Visit Smokefree England for further information.
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