France Bans Smoking in Beaches, in Parks and Bus Shelters
France will ban smoking on beaches and in parks, public gardens and bus shelters from Sunday, the government said.
The decree, published in the official government gazette Saturday, will also ban smoking outside libraries, swimming pools and schools, and is aimed at protecting children from passive smoking.
Health and family minister Catherine Vautrin said in May that tobacco must disappear where there are children.
The freedom to smoke "stops where children's right to breathe clean air starts", she said.
Offenders face a fine of up to €135 ($154), Vautrin added.
The ban will not extend to France's iconic cafe terraces however, the minister said.
Electronic cigarettes, which have boomed in France in recent years, are also not covered.
An estimated 35 percent of France's population are smokers – higher than the averages for Europe (25 percent) and the world (21 percent), according to the World Health Organization.
Around 75,000 people are estimated to die from tobacco-related complications each year in France.
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France bans smoking in beaches, in parks and bus shelters
France will ban smoking on beaches and in parks, public gardens and bus shelters from Sunday, the government said. The decree, published in the official government gazette on Saturday, will also ban smoking outside libraries, swimming pools and schools, and is aimed at protecting children from passive smoking. The decree did not mention electronic cigarettes. Violators of the ban will face a fine of 135 euros ($158). 'Tobacco must disappear from places where there are children,' Health and Family Minister Catherine Vautrin had said in May, underscoring 'the right of children to breathe pure air.' Cafe terraces are excluded from the ban. Some 75,000 people are estimated to die from tobacco-related complications each year in France. According to a recent opinion survey, six out of 10 French people (62 percent) favor a smoking ban in public places.
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France bans smoking in beaches, in parks and bus shelters
PARIS: France will ban smoking on beaches and in parks, public gardens and bus shelters from Sunday, the government decree, published in the official government gazette on Saturday, will also ban smoking outside libraries, swimming pools and schools, and is aimed at protecting children from passive decree did not mention electronic cigarettes. Violaters of the ban will face a fine of 135 euros ($158).'Tobacco must disappear from places where there are children,' Health and Family Minister Catherine Vautrin had said in May, underscoring 'the right of children to breathe pure air.'Cafe terraces are excluded from the 75,000 people are estimated to die from tobacco-related complications each year in to a recent opinion survey, six out of 10 French people (62 percent) favor a smoking ban in public places.
