France seems to be taking the new regulations in stride. France has banned smoking indoors like the rest of the civilized world. I don’t hear so much complaining about it. I see lots of people sitting outside in cafés in Toulouse smoking away. I guess the weather is nice during the winter here so it is not so bad. I wonder what people in the north do. Anyway, this video was amusing.
Popularity: 13% [?]
According to my friends in Paris, the smoking ban has created a whole new sidewalk society. People are meeting new people and chatting like they never would have done before. So in spite of all the evil predictions, it’s turning into a very favorable situation. And this is during the winter months. One can only imagine the camaraderie in the warm weather months. The only downside anyone has mentioned is that if you’re a non-smoker, you now have to wade through all the smokers gathered outside the establishment you wish to enter. But, I’m used to doing that, so it’s no big deal for me.
We were just watching Laurent Riquiet (sp?)(On a Tout Essayé) interviewing a woman who is a comedienne and she went on a rant that was very funny. At one point she said Fumer tue like Fumer-tu to which she responded fumez-vous. It probably doesn’t translate well in writing. Maybe I can find it on Youtube. I think the French are handling it well, no more complaining than normal.
very interesting post.. im definately coming back for more!
Dear Owen,
Everyone here has some interesting contributions but I must object to your sentence “France has banned smoking indoors like the rest of the CIVILIZED world” If you are being ironic please put the word in inverted commas. Smoking may not be good for the health. It may even kill. Bombs dropping on you definitely kill (sorry to correct your spelling Michael)and they were dropped in Iraq by Great Britain for example. I take it you weren’t referring to Great Britain as part of the ‘civilized world’. I live in Spain and we get by very nicely enjoying our cigarette after a meal in a restaurant. Is Spain not part of the “civilized world”? Of course there are places for non-smokers and smokers. It’s called freedom of choice. Let’s not forget that Hitler tried to ban smoking and that the dry laws in the States were brought in by some of the nastiest, most intolerant people in the world.
Do we not smell a rat? Aeroplanes cause far more global damage than cigarettes. They don’t only affect the smoker, they affect our planet, our future chances of survival. I’m sorry but I’ve had it up to here with this brainwashing. Passive smoking hasn’t been proved.
I agree that smoking may harm the smoker,but food additives harm people too, car fumes cause brain damage as do mobile phone antennae. And sorry Bob what do you mean by “wade through the smokers”?, I suppose it’s like wading through 200 smelly cars on the main street. Smoking isn’t about going outside to smoke. It’s about sitting down in a restaurant and enjoying a cigarette while you have a “kir” and read the menu.
I repeat I think there should be places for smokers and those non-smokers who really find the smoke annoying.
Sorry to rant. I just want a fair society.Live and let live.
Thanks for listening
Simon
Me again,
Just to say sorry if I sounded a bit grumpy. It was the “civilized” that got me going. The video is very funny and reflects the overreaction totally.
Simon
Well it’s not often to get an “apology” in the blogosphere that was unsolicited. Very big f you, I don’t know if I’d have done it but here’s to you.
I know what you mean and I understand and respect your position. I just don’t think it is sustainable long term, places for smokers and places for non-smokers. This is a false dichotomy, as if smokers and non-smokers don’t mix. Of course I have friends who do and do not smoke, what do I do if I want to go one night?
I should have written “civilized” rather than civilized, because I meant it in the most tongue in cheek manner. What was most funny was the reactions the French had to it, more than the act itself.
Come back again.