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Public places in France will say no to smoking
By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published October 9, 2006
PARIS - The days of cigarette-friendly France are about to go up in smoke. Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin announced Sunday that a ban on smoking in schools, offices and other public buildings will start in February, while restaurants, dance clubs and some bars have until 2008 to comply. "I am convinced the French people are now ready," said Villepin, joining Ireland, Spain, Britain and Italy, which have similar measures. "The issue is ripe in our country, given the experiences that we know of elsewhere." Villepin told LCI television the ban will be ordered "by decree" in the next few days - a step that allows the government to avert an explosive parliamentary debate ahead of elections next year. The French treasure their right to smoke in cafes, bars or restaurants, and have sought to cast the debate as one of freedoms being infringed.
[Last modified October 9, 2006, 01:57:47]
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