we could smoke on trains, planes and high schools not so long ago

TOBACCO – Smoking inside bistros, cafes, planes, schools… Scenes that young people imagine in black and white, in a decor from the 70s or 80s. And yet, the total ban on cigarettes in public spaces is not that long ago.

The omnipresence of cigarettes was a reality in France for the entire second half of the 20th century. In France, tobacco consumption became very popular in the 1950s. As you can see in the video at the top of the article, at the time, people smoked in restaurants, on planes, at work, in hospitals. In 1953, three-quarters of adult men were regular smokers, compared to 27% on average today.

However, studies already showed that tobacco was dangerous for health. But like fans of Mad Men know, cigarette brands were good at communication. On television, in newspapers or in the street, tobacco ads are everywhere, it’s the norm.

The first restrictions in 1976

While tobacco smokes up public spaces, scientists prove the links between cigarettes and cancer. Simone Veil, at the time Minister of Health, passed the first French anti-smoking law in 1976.

But it was only 15 years later that the rules on tobacco consumption tightened. On January 10, 1991, the Évin law completely banned cigarette advertising, sales were prohibited to under-16s and smoking could no longer be done in public spaces. Well almost, since there are still smoking areas.

A recent anti-smoking plan that goes further

It was not until 2007 that smoking areas completely disappeared. Since then, smoking has been completely banned in enclosed public places. In 2023, the government will go even further by banning cigarettes on beaches, in parks and around schools.

Alongside these regulations, the price of tobacco has increased sharply. 20 years ago, a packet cost 4 euros. It should reach 13 euros in 2026.

Laws and rising prices, combined with awareness campaigns, have made it possible to drastically reduce tobacco consumption. Despite everything, smoking remains the leading cause of avoidable mortality in France according to the National Committee Against Smoking (CNCT) and 12 million French people are unable to quit smoking.

Also see in HuffPost :