List of smoke-free terrasses planned
Anti-smoking group to publish searchable online database of bars and restaurants that ban smoking outside
A NEW website is due to launch in the autumn listing all of the cafes and restaurants in France that no longer allow smoking on their terrasse.
Anti-smoking group Droits des Non-Fumeurs (DNF) is planning to publish the searchable list from September to encourage other places to join the initiative.
A small number of cafes have decided to extend the anti-smoking rules that apply to enclosed public spaces to their outside tables.
DNF president Gérard Audureau told Le Figaro: "A number of customers today are dissatisfied and want to be able to eat and drink outside without being bothered by others' cigarette smoke."
Some of the bar and restaurant owners taking part in the initiative have reported a decline in takings at first, however they say trade has picked up through word-of-mouth as non-smokers recommend the place to others.
Smoking in enclosed public places has been banned in France since January 2008. The health ministry says it has no plans to toughen the law to include terrasses.
A report by Droits des Non-Fumeurs last December claimed bars and restaurants were continuing to flout the ban.
It found about 45,000 illegal covered terrasses have been built by cafés. The group also criticised the lack of spot-checks and sanctions against places ignoring the ban.
According to the group, 21% of bar and restaurant workers have complained about the effects of passive smoking.
Until the full list is published, here are two already operating the no-smoking scheme: the Royal Periere in Paris's 17th arrondissement and La Désirade on the port in Toulon, Var.
