France bans smoking in most public areas

The iconic representation of a smoking Parisian is becoming a happening of the past arsenic France has banned smoking successful astir nationalist areas.

France's caller instrumentality dictates that baccy indispensable vanish wherever determination are children, and parents, arsenic good arsenic the bulk of the country, agree. Those who take to fume successful nationalist successful areas similar the formation oregon the parkland could look a fine. The prohibition besides applies to autobus shelters, areas adjacent libraries, swimming pools and schools.

Violators could look a good of 135 euros ($160) up to a maximum of 700 euros ($826), according to French quality bureau AFP. However, the wellness ministry is expecting an archetypal grace play arsenic the caller rules spell into effect this week.

For decades, lighting up a cigaret was little a vice than a vibe — portion of the taste mise-en-scène. More than 200 radical successful France dice each time of tobacco-related illness, Health Minister Catherine Vautrin said successful a connection Saturday. That adds up to 75,000 radical dying from smoking each year, and the French authorities wanted the section to slice to black.

The prohibition aims "to beforehand what we telephone denormalization. In people's minds, smoking is normal," Philippe Bergerot, president of the French League Against Cancer, told the Associated Press. "We aren't banning smoking; we are banning smoking successful definite places wherever it could perchance impact people's wellness and ... young people."

It has been amerciable to fume successful restaurants, bars and nationalist buildings since a bid of bans successful 2007 and 2008. Ever-higher taxes mean a battalion present costs upwards of 12 euros ($14).

Yet much than 30% of French adults inactive fume cigarettes, astir of them daily, 1 of the higher rates successful Europe and globally. The Health Ministry is peculiarly acrophobic that baccy remains fashionable among young people, citing nationalist wellness statistic showing that 15% of 17-year-olds smoke. Black marketplace cigaret trading is common.

There remains 1 last refuge for smokers — astatine café terraces connected galore sidewalks.

Catherine Querard, the president of France's nationalist edifice lobby, told CBS that the terraces are "a abstraction of freedom."

"Terraces are relationships, socialization and it's precise important for us," Querard said. They are besides a pillar of France's individuality and economy. Querard says a 3rd of each café terrasse income hap outside. 

Some smokers accidental they get the caller ban, but others deliberation their close is being restricted.

"I'm a smoker. I fume due to the fact that I'm stressed, not due to the fact that it's my pleasure," 1 smoker connected the thoroughfare of Paris told CBS News. "To us, this is the past defence for smoking. But honestly? It's portion of the state we bask successful France. If you restrict that … different state disappears."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

• France
• Cigarette
• Tobacco