ATHENS

The French health minister announced on Thursday that smoking will be prohibited in public places where children are present beginning July 1.

Speaking to the daily Quest France, Health Minister Catherine Vautrin said: “ Every year, one in ten deaths is linked to tobacco. Smoking kills 75,000 people in France. This represents more than 200 deaths per day. It is the leading cause of preventable mortality."

The government will prohibit smoking in most public places to protect the public, particularly children, from this danger, she said, citing beaches, parks, public gardens, outside of schools, bus stops, and sports venues as examples of where the ban will be enforced.

When asked if a complete smoking ban is being considered, Vautrin said she would not rule it out in the future.