France bans smoking in cafés, bars and restaurants
I had never seen that before!
Yesterday night, as I was walking to the bakery in my town in the French Alps, I was flabbergasted (one of my favorite English words). It was dark and the temperature was only 5 degrees Celsius, but people were sitting outside my favorite café, sipping their drink! But of course … they were out … to be able to smoke ! Ah…The French and their cigarettes! Even though they were probably smoking an Amercian brand and not the typical French Gauloises or Gitanes, they looked so French … and so cold ! It was very weird, like a summer scene in a cheap movie: not enough light, wrong clothes and fake actors.
As of January 1st, 2008 , France has extended its smoking ban in public places to bars and restaurants, a year after the law was implemented in most public places ( airports, hospital, schools…) . And yes, it works. There was no long strike, no street protest … it was merely implemented. Can you believe it? I am French so I know what I am talking about: we never accept anything without at least one strike!
Well, it only took one extra year to have it accepted by the restaurants’ and bars’ owners but now … my dear non-smoking American friends, you can come to France and be able to enjoy your croissant and your baguette in one your favorite cafés without smoke coming your way! No more cigar smell to bear while you enjoy a delicious Blanquette de veau with a superb Château-Neuf-Du-Pape …
Well … are you ready ? So come and breathe genuine French air: only available at your favorite dealer (French Escapade) from January 1st until … you never know!
My name is Jackie Grandchamps. In 2003, I founded French Escapade, offering another way to travel in small groups of 8. "Don't be a tourist, be our guest" is the moto and spirit of my company.
Check www.frenchescapade.com
Through this blog, I will provide information about France, Belgium, California, (soon Italy) but also some stories from my guests on the tours.
Learn more about the company in the French Escapade section of this blog.
February 12th, 2008 at 10:54 am
Unbelieveable! No strikes, no protests, must be a first! As a non-smoker who sufferes from allerigies I have to say I am very pleased about this new law, but equally flabergasted that it when through without a fight!
Love your blog, Sandy
February 13th, 2008 at 3:01 pm
I am so happy to read about the non-smoking in France. I was in Paris, 2003, and people were talking about non-smoking areas at that time. So very happy to see it has happened. While on The Seine in one of the dinner boats, I was continuely made to stop breathing do to the smoke coming from the table to my left side at the very back of the boat. The dinner was so fantastic, served with 3 bottles of wine, 4 coarse meal and only for 2 people, that the smoking almost ruined that most wonderful, unforgettable dinner. When I return, i will again do the same dinner, then I will enjoy it much, much better. Hooray for France!!! Rose Murchison
March 21st, 2008 at 3:59 pm
C’est magnifique! Oregon is so far ahead sometimes, environmentally – but we can’t seem to push the idea of banning smoking in restaurants. The hospitals are just now banning smoking on their campuses!
I look forward to dining in a smoke-free France.
Joyce