Smoking in France a thing of the past?

[NirvanaMan]

http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/01/...oke.php?page=1

While no surprise in the US and other places as of late, surely France would not fall victim to this trend. A culture ripe with smokers, though less in the article than I surely would have expected.

So is this akin to shutting down the corner bakery in Paris or is this a breath of fresh air to the many non-smokers who do not wish to be choked with the decisions of others?

[Not Afraid]

Berlin is also joining in on the "fun".....which doesn't seem right either.

[Isaac]

The last time we were in Paris, we ate at Man Ray. Our waiter that night mentioned such a proposal was on the horizon and he approved of it.

A few months ago I read an article about wine consumption in France & it seems to be on the decline. More and more young french men & women are passing on wine and champagne, in favor of cocktails and hard liquor. When asked, the young men & women say they just don't care much for wine. This disturbs the older adults but they don't know what to do about it.

I guess their culture is changing.

[Moonliner]

Muuuhhhaaauuu.... The secret purpose of EruoDisney is at last reveled. All your culture are belong to US!

[scaeagles]

I am sick of the hypocrisy of this all. If it is so horrid, ban it. I am a non smoker and really dislike being around it, but smokers are people, too.

The tyranny of the majority.

[figment1986]

they can smoke... just in areas that doesn't affect non smokers... so no where??

Interesting how FLA passes a law... and France takes the law to the next level. FLA you can smoke in bars that make less than X amount of cash on food sales... if the owner allows it. France says no smoking in public essentially.

[Kevy Baby]

Originally Posted by figment1986

Interesting how FLA passes a law... and France takes the law to the next level.

California's law is tougher than Florida's and some cities have taken to banning smoking in ANY PUBLIC PLACE (including outdoors).

[innerSpaceman]

Perhaps in a nation where smoking is so prevalent, the health consequences have become more pronounced. Economics aside, I can't see how you can argue that smoking should be allowed in public places where non-smokers are permitted to be.

The hermetically-sealed environments are the way to go. All other smoking directly affects the health of others. I don't see why there should be a "freedom" to make other people sick via one's personal drug habits.

[Stan4dSteph]

As a soon to be resident, I say hallelujah.

[Alex]

I agree with iSm to some extent. We've goen about it completely bass ackwards in this country. The case for prohibiting smoking in public spaces is much stronger than for doing so in private spaces.

Of course, I consider private businesses to be private spaces so I don't support restaurant and bar bans. Instead of shoving them all out in the street outside the bar, keep them in the bar and I'll decide if I want to join them.