One last smoke in the Eiffel Tower (Photo by Monica Gerds) Dark roast coffee. Existential philosophy. People-watching. Palmiers, petits fours, and croissants. Gauloises? - oops! No longer, monsieur. The end of 2007 brought a great many things, not the least of which was the final step of France's smoking ban. As of yesterday, French cafés, restaurants, and bars have joined all other Gallic "interior places of employ" in the no-smoking zone. Can't go on without a puff? That'll be 68 euro, s'il vous plait! Better to just go out into the cold and join the New Yorkers, Irish, Italians, Norwegians, Brits, Danes, and Spaniards huddled against the sides of office buildings. Or, even better, make quitting smoking one of your New Year's resolutions! It'll go hand-in-hand with your other resolutions (which we're sure you haven't broken yet) like losing weight -- and it'll definitely save you money. And if that list of resolutions includes "travel more," and you're starting to falter, well... we hear Greece is lovely this time of year. Suggested Sites... Wikipedia: Smoking Bans - the modern smoking ban around the world -- protested but gaining countries every year. L'histoire du Café de Flore - the most celebrated café in France; birthplace of great ideas. Now featuring fresh air. New Year's Resolutions - how to power through and accomplish the resolutions you made.

Directory categories: Smoking Cessation and Information, New Year's Resolutions, France

Archived under: France, Health, New Year, Philosophy, Restaurants, Smoking, Work

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