Smoking Ban in Areas Frequently Visited by Children to Begin in July
Violations of Decree May Result in Fines of About 210,000 Won
23.1% of the French Population Are Smokers
France has decided to ban smoking in all outdoor areas frequently visited by children, including beaches, parks, and areas around schools. On May 30, Yonhap News, citing foreign media such as the BBC, reported that France will implement a decree from July 1 that prohibits smoking in places such as beaches, parks, areas around schools, bus stops, and sports stadiums where children are often present.
Catherine Vautrin, French Minister of Health and Family, stated in an interview with French media, "Where children are present, tobacco must disappear," adding, "The freedom to smoke must end where the freedom for children to breathe fresh air begins," explaining the intent of the decree. According to the decree, outdoor spaces such as terraces of cafes and bars are excluded from the smoking ban, and electronic cigarettes are also not included in the ban. AFP·Yonhap News
On this day, Catherine Vautrin, the French Minister of Health and Family, stated in an interview with French media, "Where children are present, tobacco must disappear," and added, "The freedom to smoke must end where the freedom for children to breathe fresh air begins," explaining the purpose of the decree. According to the decree, outdoor spaces such as terraces of cafes and bars are excluded from the smoking ban, and electronic cigarettes are also not included in the ban. Violations of the decree may result in a fine of approximately 135 euros (about 210,000 won). Minister Vautrin emphasized that while the police will enforce the decree, she has great trust in 'self-regulation' and urged voluntary compliance.
Previously, in 2008, France banned smoking in indoor places such as restaurants and nightclubs. According to the French Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (OFDT), 23.1% of the total French population are smokers. The French National Committee Against Smoking has estimated that 75,000 people, accounting for 13% of all deaths in France, die each year from tobacco-related diseases.
Over 70,000 Deaths Annually from Direct Smoking in Korea
According to the statistics announced by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency on the 30th, the number of deaths caused by direct smoking reached 72,689 in 2022. This averages to 199 deaths per day, and the various socio-economic costs, including medical expenses, amounted to 13.6316 trillion won.
Meanwhile, the socio-economic costs of smoking have been calculated at the national level every year since 2019. This data is used as a basis for creating smoking cessation and tobacco control policies. In Korea as well, a large number of deaths occur annually due to smoking. According to statistics released by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency on May 30, the number of deaths caused by direct smoking reached 72,689 in 2022. This averages to 199 deaths per day, and the various socio-economic costs, including medical expenses, amounted to 13.6316 trillion won. The number of deaths from direct smoking increased from 61,360 in 2020 to 63,426 in 2021. During the same period, the socio-economic costs rose from 12.8912 trillion won to 12.9754 trillion won. Among these, compared to non-smoking men, current male smokers had a 1.7 times higher risk of death. For women, the risk was 1.8 times higher. Among men who previously smoked but do not currently smoke, the risk of death was 1.1 times higher than for non-smoking men. For women, the risk was 1.3 times higher.
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