France Bans Smoking

This falls under the category of, "I'll believe it when I see it." France's prime minister just announced that smoking will be banned in all public buildings, such as schools, offices and train stations, as of February. The ban will extend to restaurants, bars and tabacs (tobacco shops and cafes) in 2008. While this is surely an honorable endeavor, it will be no simple task to convince a nation so fond of smoking to put out their butts.

Despite James Martin, the About Europe for Visitors guide, claiming I had wishful thinking when I called France one of the last oases for smokers, even this latest decree doesn't mean France is on the brink of going smoke-free. There's no question it's bad for their health, but many French people still adore their cigarettes.

Not only that, but the French also tend to ignore rules they believe are wrong. The smoking situation in France has improved dramatically in recent years. For the first time ever, one finds défense defumer signs in public areas. Of course, you still encounter plenty of people smoking in some of these supposedly non-smoking spots. In fact, these spots often still often have ashtrays well inside the buildings - and they can be full of telltale cigarette butts.

It will be interesting to see how this transpires, especially once the ban includes cafés and bars.