Nice to have smoke-free beach

NICE has become the first French seaside resort to introduce a “tobacco-free” beach.

The Centenaire beach, a central beach off the Promenade des Anglais, is to be labeled plage sans tabac for this summer’s holiday season.

The scheme is a partnership between the city council and charity the Ligue Nationale Contre le Cancer (LNCC).

It comes after a US initiative making Central Park entirely smoke free.

LNCC president Gilbert Lenoir said: “New York’s decision had an international impact and got things moving in America. With Nice, which is almost as significant in tourism terms, we hope to spark off the same virtuous circle and see no-smoking public spaces around France.”

He added: “Having beaches and other public spaces that are tobacco-free breaks the association between holidays, rest, leisure and smoking.”

Nice mayor Christian Estrosi said he was “very proud that” Nice was the first French city to have the label, and called on other mayors to follow suit.

A municipal bylaw making smoking on the beach punishable by a €38 fine will be passed in about three months.

Wikimedia Commons Bhuz Crecelu