Because the original thread was locked, after being hijacked for political discussion, I'm repeating the info contained therein so's people travelling to France this summer are aware of where they can have their dose of the dreaded weed.
Please don't turn this into a political argument again. This is INFORMATION. Plain & simple.
On 1 February 2007 additional smoking restrictions came into effect in France. The primary objective of these bans is to limit non-smokers' exposure to passive smoking in public or communal places.
It is forbidden to smoke in the following places:
Offices/the workplace: In any office building, in both private offices and communal areas (reception and board rooms, canteens, washrooms, gym and sports areas).
Public transport: On any public transport (trains, trams, ferries, buses, ski lifts).
Schools: Anywhere on the property - indoors and outdoor grounds - of schools and colleges.
Leisure venues: At the sport and recreation facilities used by children under 18 years. Indoors and outdoors sport arenas, fields, gymnasia and halls used by schools, colleges or children's associations.
Administrative buildings: The public access areas and individual offices, passageways and waiting rooms of all administrative buildings. Where a specific smoking area is not provided, smokers (staff and visitors) may only smoke outside.
Medical facilities: In hospitals, clinics and other medical facilities (except in private hospital rooms where conditions apply).
In January 2008 the ban will extend to coffee bars and cafés, hotels, restaurants, discotheques and tobacconists.
Smoking Areas:
Organisations and employers may provide separate smokers' areas although certain criteria must be adhered to.
An acceptable smoking area has the following:
Must be properly ventilated
Must have automatic doors
May not be part of a passageway or foyer
Must not be larger than 32m2
From JANUARY 1st 2008, France will become a NO SMOKING country.
Fines are currently 65€ per individual caught and 130€ for the person who owns the place where the individual was smoking. Not only are the police vigilant, but locals are denouncing offenders too! On the positive side, the government are funding various anti-smoking medications (gum, patches etc) for those who have decided that this is a good time to give up.
Visitors are politely reminded to look around them for smoking/non-smoking signs before lighting up!
Further Information:
Information line Tel: 0825 309 310 (Monday to Saturday 08:00-20:00)
Comprehensive details (in French) on website tabac.gouv.fr
Information from the French Government website Service Public (in French).
Tim, I believe it's already had quite an effect. The collège my daughter attends is now completely smoke-free, except for the area outside of the gates, where folk now congregate to smoke. My youngest son says the same thing about the école he attends. Older pupils as well as teachers have to use an area outside of the school boundaries. This actually means that less people are smoking there as it's quite a walk! There's no change in the bars & cafés as yet because the ban there doesn't come into force until 2008. I'll report back then!
The one difference we have noticed is in the shopping complexes.Before you could smoke in the bars/restaurants Now No smoking everywhere This may be a local decision
Looks like it is Scot. The local supermarket bars to us haven't enforced anything as yet. What we have noticed though is the emergence of 'signs' to buy in the Brico stores for 'smoking area' and such.
Just got back from Saint Aygulf yesterday. You can still smoke in the restaurants in the village BUT smoking was banned in the service station restaurants in aires in which I stopped on my journey down and up.
------------- Regards,
Aileen
"Mouths closed and maths books open, please!"
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
Even as a smoker I love this ban we have had it for two years now in Italy it's great you can take your kids to bars/ rest's, Glad to hear that France is now coming into line with it.
Well if the ban in Spain is anything to go by, they are still smoking everywhere. How long will it take for someone to put in a claim that their health has been compromised only to find that the fact the the Spanish bars have put up a notice to the effect "This establishment permits smoking, the government advises that smoking can damage your health and that of of those around you" has let them out of nice little loophole. On a recent visit to Spain everyone was smoking as they had before the ban. The only place it is not permitted to smoke is actually at the bar the fact that you cannot see across the bar for the cigarette smoke appears to be neither here nor there.
Only hope the Frence are keener in policing their laws more so than the Spanish. The Spanish law is a complete farce.
just to confirm then, if I am on site lying on my sunbed outside my motorhome, i can have a puff? Yes, no problems!
If I go for a nice meal i cant? You can, until July 2008, when the ban in total comes into play! There are certain restaurants that are trying it out now though. Just be sure to ask before you light up!
Just trying to make sure I dont have to pay any extras when I am there.
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: No Smoking Please - Were French! (2)
.
