Now the French want to ban public smoking

**Chris T** · 08-10-2006, 22:26

You couldn't make it up:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/6032125.stm

Although apparently there is 70% public support for the measure, which is due to come into force in January 2008.

**Graham M** · 08-10-2006, 22:27

Hang on! Doesn't every stereotypical Frenchman in the movies hold a cigarette for the whole, entire movie?

**Chris T** · 08-10-2006, 22:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zeph

Hang on! Doesn't every stereotypical Frenchman in the movies hold a cigarette for the whole, entire movie?

What, like this?

Gareth · 09-10-2006, 01:22

Heh, considering that smoking has been banned in SNCF and Metro stations for several years now, yet you still get loads of people smoking in them all the time (including staff) I'm not sure this one will see the light of day.

AndyCambs · 09-10-2006, 04:02

Personally I can't wait for the smoking ban to come into force on the railway station platforms. I'm frequently covered in cigarette ash from one side, and asphyxiated by clouds of smoke from the other side.

**Chris T** · 09-10-2006, 08:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndyCambs

Personally I can't wait for the smoking ban to come into force on the railway station platforms. I'm frequently covered in cigarette ash from one side, and asphyxiated by clouds of smoke from the other side.

It's funny, but you don't really appreciate a smoking ban until you go somewhere it's not in force. We've had one in Scotland for some months now. It was a real eye-opener when I travelled to Birmingham recently. There was a smoking area at New Street station whose foul stench was drifting around most of the station concourse. I could smell it a mile off. In Scotland smoking areas are not allowed indoors. And of course the pubs and bars in England are still smoke-filled holes.

Welll done the French, I say, if they can actually pull it off.

Nugget · 09-10-2006, 08:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris T

It's funny, but you don't really appreciate a smoking ban until you go somewhere it's not in force. We've had one in Scotland for some months now. It was a real eye-opener when I travelled to Birmingham recently. There was a smoking area at New Street station whose foul stench was drifting around most of the station concourse. I could smell it a mile off. In Scotland smoking areas are not allowed indoors. And of course the pubs and bars in England are still smoke-filled holes.

Welll done the French, I say, if they can actually pull it off.

Out of curiosity (bearing in mind I haven't used New Street for years), where's the smoking section? Last time I was there, the only place you could smoke was in the pub - you couldn't smoke on any of the platforms because they're all underground. In fact, I can't remember ever being at New Street when you could smoke

Totally off topic of course, but there you go

**Chris T** · 09-10-2006, 09:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nugget

Out of curiosity (bearing in mind I haven't used New Street for years), where's the smoking section? Last time I was there, the only place you could smoke was in the pub - you couldn't smoke on any of the platforms because they're all underground. In fact, I can't remember ever being at New Street when you could smoke

Totally off topic of course, but there you go

It's difficult to say as I don't know which way the station is orientated - Coming from Scotland, I got off the train and went up an escalator continuing in the same direction (so I'm tempted to say 'heading south' even if it isn't), then at the top turn right. There are some cafes and other seating there, and there is an enclosed smoking area thereabouts.

Nugget · 09-10-2006, 09:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris T

It's difficult to say as I don't know which way the station is orientated - Coming from Scotland, I got off the train and went up an escalator continuing in the same direction (so I'm tempted to say 'heading south' even if it isn't), then at the top turn right. There are some cafes and other seating there, and there is an enclosed smoking area thereabouts.

Ah fair enough - as I said, it's been a while since I was last at New Street (I used to get the train to the Family Nug before I could drive), but the pub always stank. Didn't stop me going in there, but it did stink

Gareth · 09-10-2006, 10:17

I've been reading into this a bit more this morning, and it looks as though they're planning on introducing things slightly different to how they're going to be done on this side of the Channel.

Le Figaro is quoted as saying

Quote:

Originally Posted by Le Figaro

Â«Les Ã©tablissements qui traditionnellement accueillent les fumeurs, comme les bar-tabacs, restaurants, discothÃ¨ques disposeront d'un dÃ©lai supplÃ©mentaire jusqu'au 1er janvier 2008Â», a prÃ©cisÃ© le premier ministre. Au-delÃ*, il reviendra aux responsables de ces lieux d'installer des Â«fumoirs strictement rÃ©glementÃ©s, dans lesquels le personnel n'aura pas la possibilitÃ© d'entrer ni ne pourra servir de consommationsÂ»

The establishments who traditionally welcome smokers, such as bars, restaurants, discos have an additional delay until January 1st 2008, specified the prime minister. After that, it will be up to the owners of these places to install smoking rooms where staff will not have the possibility to enter, nor to serve things that can be consumed.

So, it seems as though it won't be a blanket ban like we've already seen in New York, Ireland, Scotland... and will soon see in England. Smokers will have the choice to enter the smoking rooms within the premises, provided by the proprietors, whilst the main areas of these places remain smoke-free.

Anyone else think this is a better, more intelligent and fairer way of implementing this than the way the UK, Irish and US Governments have adopted?

---------- Post added at 10:17 ---------- Previous post was at 10:16 ----------

edit: Article translated to English here [google.com]

Taf · 09-10-2006, 10:22

There have been no smoking areas in French bars for years... but the French just shrug their shoulders and ignore any law they don't agree with... and if someone has a go at them they just claim "LIBERTE!!"

altis · 09-10-2006, 10:28

There have been no smoking areas in Irish bars for years... but the Irish just shrug their shoulders and ignore any law they don't agree with... and if someone has a go at them they just say "F*** Off!!"

Yet, the smoking ban has worked in Ireland!

The world is changing all around us. Why can't the English government get it's act together?

Halcyon · 09-10-2006, 14:31

Wooooooooohoooooooo !!!
I can't wait for it to become smoke free.