Quote:
PARIS, France (Reuters) -- France will ban smoking in most public places from January 1, 2007, the France Soir newspaper said on Saturday, and in bars, restaurants and hotels a year later.
The paper said Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin was preparing to announce the two-stage ban soon. The prime minister's office said he told reporters on Wednesday he would make a statement on the subject in "a few days."
Villepin has a prime-time television interview on Sunday evening.
In a report presented on Wednesday, a parliamentary committee recommended a total ban from September 1, 2007, at the latest.
In the report, the parliamentarians said that each year between 2,500 and 5,800 people died from "passive smoking." Some 66,000 smokers die each year in France.
Polls regularly show that a majority of French people support a ban on smoking in public places.
Weakened by a battle with trade unions and students over a controversial youth jobs contract, the government backed away in April from a ban on smoking in bars and restaurants.
Ireland imposed the world's first nationwide public smoking ban in 2004. Italy, Sweden, Scotland, Norway and Spain have followed suit to varying degrees.
Belgium, Britain and Portugal are expected to put tighter rules in place next year.
The paper said Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin was preparing to announce the two-stage ban soon. The prime minister's office said he told reporters on Wednesday he would make a statement on the subject in "a few days."
Villepin has a prime-time television interview on Sunday evening.
In a report presented on Wednesday, a parliamentary committee recommended a total ban from September 1, 2007, at the latest.
In the report, the parliamentarians said that each year between 2,500 and 5,800 people died from "passive smoking." Some 66,000 smokers die each year in France.
Polls regularly show that a majority of French people support a ban on smoking in public places.
Weakened by a battle with trade unions and students over a controversial youth jobs contract, the government backed away in April from a ban on smoking in bars and restaurants.
Ireland imposed the world's first nationwide public smoking ban in 2004. Italy, Sweden, Scotland, Norway and Spain have followed suit to varying degrees.
Belgium, Britain and Portugal are expected to put tighter rules in place next year.
Guess I can breathe easier now
