Yesterday I was reading about the new smoking ban that goes into effect tomorrow in France. Smoking will no longer be allowed in places of business (like shops), schools, and hospitals. Then in January next year it will not be allowed in any public places including restaurants and bars. (They wanted to give people a year longer to adjust to the idea.)
I also read that in France about 1 in 3 people smoke. It is a large number, but I believe it after being here for 4 months. People smoke everywhere including the teachers at school. When I first started working here I was startled to see the teachers light up in the teacher’s lounge. I though it was strange to see them smoking at a school where children might see, so imagine my surprise the next day when I saw a teacher smoking on the playground while the kids were at recess! I just couldn’t believe what I was seeing!
There is one teacher in particular who is always smoking on the playground, so it will be amusing to see what happens tomorrow. He will probably have to leave campus 10 times a day to get his nicotine fix.
It is a little sad that the smoking ban for bars and restaurants doesn’t go into effect until next year. The smoke is one of the hardest things I have had to deal with here. Even if I sit in the nonsmoking area, I still go home stinking like smoke. Most times I have to go wash my hair because the smell is so strong it makes me sick.
It will be interesting to see how French culture is changed because of the smoking ban. It seems that smoking a cigarette is as French as wearing a beret.
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I always found it shocking how prevalent smoking is in Europe in general, particularly among the youth. I found a website that lists non-smoking restaurants in Paris (other cities too). I'm going to make a list before I leave. The website is dnf.asso.fr/guide/index.htm. Check it out!
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