Ban on smoking in publice areas takes effect in France

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More than 175,000 agents have been employed to enforce the ban, handing out fines of 88 US dollars for smokers, and 174 US dollars for employers who look the other way.

In a year, the ban will also extend to cafes and restaurants.

The French government said it will help smokers quit by reimbursing up to 65 US dollars per person per year for stop-smoking aids.

It will also allow companies to invest in strictly regulated special smoking rooms inside the workplace.

Norms are changing across Europe, with Italy, Spain, Belgium, Britain and Ireland already enacting broad smoking bans.

Editor:Du Xiaodan