Lights out for French smokers

SMOKING will be illegal in French cafes, bars and restaurants from January, 2008 under a ban announced by Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin.

Unveiling a general prohibition on smoking in public areas from next February, the prime minister told RTL radio that a reprieve of 11 months will be permitted to establishments that “traditionally welcome smokers”.

“It will be on January 1, 2008 that in bars, restaurants and discotheques the measure will come into effect,” Mr de Villepin said.

Smoking will only be permitted in establishments that build hermetically sealed (airtight) “fumoirs”, or smoking-rooms, to which serving staff will not be permitted access, he said.

The Union of Hospitality Trades (UMIH) has said that fewer than 3% of restaurants and bars can afford the investment.

The move follows similar bans introduced here, Italy and Scotland, triggered by changing public attitudes to smoking and growing acceptance of the risks of passive smoking.

Mr de Villepin said some 5,000 French people die from passive smoking every year.

He described this as totally unacceptable in terms of public health.

The ban is to be issued next month, in the form of a government decree, and will initially effect schools, businesses and shops.

Individuals who break the prohibition will be fined €75, and establishments where it is not applied will be fined €150.

Under existing French law, it is obligatory to set up separate smoking areas in public places, but it has not been properly enforced in cafes and restaurants.

According to a parliamentary committee, some 70% of the French public supports the ban.