
France bans outdoor smoking: Parks, beaches, schools included; cites child safety
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France will ban smoking on beaches, in parks, public gardens, and bus shelters from Sunday, the government announced. The decree, published in the official govt gazette on Saturday, also prohibits smoking outside libraries, swimming pools, and schools to protect children from passive smoking.
The decree does not mention electronic cigarettes. Individuals who violate 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 saidd in May, emphasising "the right of children to breathe pure air," reported the AFP.
Cafe terraces are excluded from the ban. Approximately 75,000 people die each year in France from tobacco-related complications. According to a recent opinion survey, 62 percent of French people favour a smoking ban in public places.

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New Indian Express
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- New Indian Express
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 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. 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 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) favour a smoking ban in public places.