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Smoking in France


Smoking in France

Smoking is prohibited by law in all enclosed spaces accessible to the public (this includes train and subway cars, train and subway station enclosures, workplaces, restaurants and cafés) unless in areas specifically designated for smoking, and there are few of these. There was an exception for restaurants and cafés, but since the 1st January 2008, the smoking ban law is also enforced there. You may face a fine of €68 if you are found smoking in these places. Though no smoking rules in cafes and restaurants exist, they are widely flouted. The French have a habit of disregarding 'stupid laws' so if you are particularly sensitive to cigarette smoke ask either for an outside table or sit near an open window. Be warned, in summer when the majority of France is overrun by a heatwave the smell of tobacco becomes stronger and might make eating out unbearable for asthma sufferers. Smoking is banned in métro and trains, as well as enclosed stations. Subway and train conductors do enforce the law and will fine you for smoking in non-designated places; if you encounter problems with a smoker in train, you may go find the conductor. As hotels are not considered as public places, some offer smoking vs non-smoking rooms. Only people over the age 18 may purchase tobacco products. Shopkeepers may request a photo ID.

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France Travel Guide from Wikitravel. Many thanks to all Wikitravel contributors. Text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0, images are available under various licenses, see each image for details.

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