Broad support for beach smoking ban

THREE quarters of French people are in favour of more beaches introducing a smoking ban, a new survey has revealed.

The Ifop poll of 1,000 people for Ouest France newspaper found 75% of people supported the idea, which is being tested out this summer in La Ciotat on the Mediterranean coast near Marseille.

The approval rate rose to 82% among respondents aged 65 and over. Out of all of the respondents, some 42% said they were "very in favour" and only 9% were completely opposed to a ban.

La Ciotat claimed a French first when it turned one of its beaches into a cigarette-free zone this year.

The mairie says the initiative has been very popular, especially with families, and it has been contacted by other seaside towns to discuss how best to implement a ban.