Smoking fines could be slashed

AN AMENDMENT to France's anti-smoking law that could see the fine for smoking in public cut by two thirds is being examined in parliament today.

Senators have already approved the changes, which would reduce the penalty from €135 to €45 for anyone caught lighting up in an enclosed public space.

A committee of senators and MPs will take a further look at the proposal today to decide whether it should be adopted.

The relaxed fine is part of a number of proposed changes that aim to simplify the fines structure for various offences and free up courts to deal with bigger crimes.

Anti-smoking group L'Alliance Contre le Tabac said the amendment was a backwards step. Director Clémence Cagnat-Lardeau told Le Parisien: "We don't see the urgency in this - unless it's designed to make concessions for voters ahead of next year's elections."

A health ministry spokesman told the paper that there were no plans to scrap the smoking ban in enclosed public spaces.