How much do people really SMOKE IN FRANCE????

Question

I'm a Canadian teen going to live in France for a year and I really really really dread cigarettes. I know that smoking is very popular in France but just how bad is it? Do more people smoke it the cities or in the country? Do people smoke a lot at home? Where can I seek refuge? What's the opinion on second hand smoking? Thx.

Answer 1

Ok, first of all: Cris, your answer is totaly wrong.

Many french teenagers tend to smoke more, my french teacher says it's because they go out alot more with friends, and this leads to them smoking, and doing other stuff.

The french are well known for smoking more than other nations.

Answer 2

I went to France on a school trip in early July. I have asthma and I had the same question as well before my trip.

There is this newer law that prohibits and smoking in restaurants unless they have a non smoking section. And they also have some public places banned. But, compared to the U.S. and Canada, you will notice a difference in quality of air due to smoking. A lot of people walking down the street smoke, heck, at the airport, someone was smoking in the bathroom (washroom, I guess you call it in Canada). However, not as many, or at least not as concentrated, are smokers in the smaller cities like Chartes, Chinon, etc. But, expect more smoking than in Canada, but its not unbearable.

To my knowledge, they don't take as much initiative as in the U.S. on second hand smoke.

Email me if you have any other questions...

Answer 3

About 12 million of the French  (approximately 20 percent of the population) are smokers.

There is, however, a new decree (not a democratically passed law but a dictate from a government bureaucrat) that bans smoking in public places such as restaurants. bars and cafes although there are exceptions for outdoor terraces and for establishments which choose to install special rooms with high powered ventilation systems.

Answer 4

there are not more smokers in France than in the other countries, don't believe everything that you see on TV series or what people say. People won't smoke into your face, don't worry.

@Naith: I'm French so I know what I'm talking about, the truth is exactly the opposite of what you say: the number of smokers is decreasing in France. And I've been to Spain, Italy and Britain; they obviously smoke as much as the French. You shouldn't believe the stupidities that French teachers say. If you like to believe everything that people say about the French, you'll be strongly disappointed when you come here.