The Local France

'One million French people' give up smoking in just 12 months

Mon, 28 May 2018 17:42:23 +0200

One million French smokers who previously sparked up everyday have given up smoking in the last 12 months, the country's Ministry of Health revealed on Monday, suggesting France's reputation as Europe's chimney might no longer be appropriate.

Cigarette price hikes and plain packages fail to stop French sparking up

Tue, 13 Mar 2018 11:16:59 +0100

French people are lighting up as much as ever despite the launch of plain packaging and the rising cost of the habit, new figures reveal.

French tobacco companies 'hiding real levels of nicotine and tar in cigarettes'

Fri, 09 Feb 2018 16:38:07 +0100

Four tobacco companies in France have been accused of "deliberately endangering people's lives" by cheating tests in order to hide the real levels of nicotine and tar in their cigarettes, in a case that echos the "Dieselgate" scandal that engulfed Volkswagen.

Proposal to ban smoking in French films ridiculed in France

Mon, 20 Nov 2017 11:45:21 +0100

A proposal that France should ban the cigarette from the silver screen has been met with widespread derision and mockery among the French.

The French and smoking: Is France really 'Europe's chimney'

Tue, 02 May 2017 13:57:49 +0200

France: good food, good wine and cigarettes. This has been the accepted view of L'Héxagone ever since Gainsbourg and Bardot graced TV screens, sporting sultry expressions and half-smoked gauloises. Amaryllis Barton looks at whether France really is Europe's chimney.

Smoking on the rise in France despite rollout of plain packaging

Tue, 02 May 2017 12:32:23 +0200

Attempts by the French government to discourage the population from smoking appear to have burnt out as new figures reveal a rise in the number of smokers.

France launches tobacco free month to help smokers quit

Tue, 01 Nov 2016 17:36:52 +0100

France on Tuesday launched a national 'Tobacco-free month' campaign to encourage smokers to quit the habit, offering financial incentives as well as advice for would-be quitters.

Makers of Gauloises cigs fight France on plain packets

Tue, 10 May 2016 13:17:04 +0200

The tobacco company that owns famous French cigarette brands Gaulloises and Gitanes is fighting a French law that imposes plain packaging.

France bans logos to make smoking less sexy

Thu, 26 Nov 2015 14:44:33 +0100

Cigarettes will have to be sold in plain packaging in France from next year after the French parliament narrowly voted through a proposal which has drawn the ire of tobacconists.

Paris enforces €68 fines for tossing cigarettes

Thu, 01 Oct 2015 10:25:32 +0200

Smokers in Paris should think twice about nonchalantly tossing away that cigarette butt from now on. From Thursday the cost of a fine rose to €68. But will it make the city cleaner?

France bans smoking in childrens playgrounds

Fri, 29 May 2015 17:00:57 +0200

France’s crackdown on tobacco will continue this summer as the government announced this week smokers will no longer be allowed to light up in playgrounds.

Paris gets tough on café terrace smokers

Wed, 01 Apr 2015 15:54:47 +0200

As Parisians continue to ignore laws that ban smoking inside closed off cafe terraces, the Town Hall has sent a reminder to police that they shouldn't hesitate to crack down on both the smokers and the cafe owners not abiding by the rules.

Should French smokers really pay €13 a packet?

Mon, 23 Mar 2015 17:00:25 +0100

Smokers in France should pay the "fair price" of €13 per packet so the state can cover the real financial burden that smokers have on the country's economy, a new study has claimed.

US governor blasts France's anti-tobacco law

Wed, 15 Oct 2014 14:26:00 +0200

France’s plan to ban all branding on packets of cigarettes might have gone down well with anti-smoking campaigners but it has clearly riled the US governor of North Carolina, who has suggested the US take reprisals.

France to ban smoking in cars with kids

Thu, 25 Sep 2014 16:00:00 +0200

France unveiled a raft of new measures to crackdown on tobacco and electronic cigarettes on Thursday including a ban on lighting up in cars where young children are present and forbidding e-cigs in certain public places.

France hopes to say 'adieu' to cig branding

Wed, 24 Sep 2014 14:47:00 +0200

In an effort to end the French love affair with cigarettes, the government is to propose new legislation on Thursday to ban the cigarette pack logos and branding some see seductive to young people.

French MPs' lunch with big tobacco causes a stir

Mon, 03 Jun 2013 14:05:00 +0200

After recent tax hikes on tobacco, and with a ban on e-cigarettes looming, eyebrows have been raised after it emerged that tobacco lobbyists recently wined and dined several French politicians in a lavish Paris luncheon.

French anti-smoking drive a total flop - report

Thu, 13 Dec 2012 17:49:30 +0100

France's efforts to stub out smoking have been a complete failure, a spending watchdog said on Thursday in a damning report that warned only sustained price hikes will curb the country's love affair with Gauloises and Gitanes.

Smokers pay the price as France hikes taxes

Mon, 01 Oct 2012 19:46:00 +0200

Cigarettes are nearing seven euros or more for a packet of 20 in France as a tax hike on tobacco products took effect on Monday.

Smoking in bars and cafes on the increase

Tue, 10 Apr 2012 12:14:00 +0200

Five Parisian cafes will find out on Tuesday whether they broke the law by allowing smoking, as reports suggest the law is being broken more and more.