France imposes smoking ban on its beaches and parks

ANYONE who lights up on a beach or in a public park in France will be breaking the law from yesterday under new rules aimed at protecting children from the dangers of passive smoking.

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Bus shelters and areas in the immediate vicinity of libraries, swimming pools and schools will also be affected by the ban, which is coming into force one day after its publication in the official government gazette at the weekend.

The rule is being imposed one week before the beginning of the school holidays in France in a clear bid to immediately protect children from smoke on the beach.

However, to the disappointment of some anti-tobacco activists, the ban does not cover the terraces of bars and restaurants where many French still happily light up.

They are also unhappy that the ban does not apply to electronic cigarettes.

The rules had initially been expected to come into force tomorrow after a previous announcement by the health ministry but the publication in the official gazette means this has now been brought forward to yesterday.