French smokers fume as public ban looms
French smokers were making a painful mental adjustment as a parliamentary committee recommended a ban on smoking in public areas from next year and the government indicated it will act quickly on the advice. It means that from September smoking in French bars, restaurants and nightclubs could be completely prohibited — unless they provide hermetically-sealed “fumoirs” into which serving staff are not allowed to penetrate. The government seemed bent on ignoring the outcry from the bar and tobacco lobby, which is warning of dire financial consequences if the ban comes into effect, as well as the irritation of millions of smokers — accustomed to France’s traditionally lax approach to cigarettes.
Upon hearing this news, I wanted to jump up on a chair and scream “YES!!!” If a confirmed cigarette-friendly country like France can seriously be considered instituting a ban on smoking in public places…well, perhaps there is hope for humanity, after all. I never thought I’d live to see the day where smoking would be threatened on the Continent. My experience in various parts of the former Yugoslavia, where smoking is the national sport, led me to believe that anti-smoking efforts in Europe would have about as much chance of success as thinking the LA Clippers might win an NBA championship. Well, I still don’t think much of the Clippers’ chances, but it appears that I might just be wrong about smoking’s prospects in Europe.
Of course, no reasonable person would contend with any certainty that cigarette smoking will become unfashionable in the American manner any time soon, but the French government’s decision is a decided victory for those who value clean, breathable air. Vive la difference!
