France Bans Smoking at Beaches, Parks, and Bus Shelters: Reactions Mixed
Effective tomorrow, France will implement a ban on smoking in various public spaces, including beaches, parks, public gardens, bus shelters, libraries, swimming pools, and schools. This measure, outlined in a new government decree, aims to shield children from the dangers of passive smoking. Violators of the ban will be fined €135, while e-cigarettes are not specifically addressed in the decree. The initiative, supported by a majority of French citizens, excludes café terraces and is intended to reduce the approximately 75,000 tobacco-related deaths occurring annually in the country.
John Q. Hosedrinker