France cracks down on public smoking to protect children
Smoking has long been seen as a part of French culture, especially in films. Because of this, government efforts to limit smoking have often faced pushback. Philippe Bergerot, head of the French League Against Cancer, said that some people still see smoking bans as limiting their freedom. But he explained that the goal is to make smoking seem less normal in public life. "We are not banning smoking completely," he said. "We are just banning it in places where it can harm others, especially young people."
France already banned smoking inside restaurants, bars, and public buildings in 2007 and 2008. Cigarette prices have also gone up sharply due to taxes, with a pack now costing over 12 euros (around $14). Still, over 30% of French adults smoke, most of them every day. That's one of the highest rates in Europe and the world. Officials are apprehensive about young people—about 15% of 17-year-olds smoke, and illegal cigarette sales are common.
Health Minister Catherine Vautrin said tobacco causes about 200 deaths every day in France, or 75,000 each year.
Some people support the new rules, while others feel they go too far. In a park in Paris, a woman named Natacha Uzan said she agreed with the ban in restaurants, but thought banning smoking in parks was "a bit too much." Another woman, Anabelle Cermell, who has a baby, welcomed the rule. "It's not ideal when people smoke around my child," she said, "but before this, there wasn't much I could do."
The government said the ban will start on July 1. It will soon share more details about exactly where it applies.
Other European countries are also taking more decisive actions. Britain and Sweden have stricter public smoking rules. Spain is expanding its ban to include café and restaurant terraces, which are still allowed under France's new rules.
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