As of today, it is illegal to smoke in schools, airports, train stations and government buildings across France as the Health Ministry's smoking ban comes into effect. Cafe's and pubs may voluntarily ban smoking, and must ban it by December.
A lot of French culture is tied up in smoking a cigarette and having a coffee, but the majority of the French are supportive of the smoking ban, 70 per cent in fact, as well as the majority of French smokers.
Those caught smoking in banned areas face a fine of €68.
