STORY: French government presents new anti-smoking plan
SHOOTING TIME: Nov. 28, 2023
DATELINE: Nov. 29, 2023
LENGTH: 0:01:25
LOCATION: SAINT-ETIENNE, France
CATEGORY: LAW

SHOTLIST:
1. various of cigarette packs
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (French): MARION, Passerby in a tobacco-free zone
3. various of public gardens
4. SOUNDBITE 2 (French): EMMA, Passerby in a tobacco-free zone
5. various of children in front of schools

STORYLINE:

The French government presented its anti-tobacco plan on Tuesday, which aims to reduce the number of smokers in the country.

According to the plan, there will be more non-smoking areas. French Minister of Health Aurelien Rousseau said that the government will publish "decrees in the first quarter of 2024."

The amount of the fine to which smokers would be subject is not yet known. The objective is in particular to prevent young people from starting smoking and to help smokers quit smoking.

Non-smoking zones will be extended to beaches, parks, gardens, forests, and around schools.

SOUNDBITE 1 (French): MARION, Passerby in a tobacco-free zone
"There are children nearby. We know the dangers of tobacco. We must set an example. I am in favor of this measure."

SOUNDBITE 2 (French): EMMA, Passerby in a tobacco-free zone
"There are a few butts here already, so it must not be completely respected."

In France, tobacco is responsible for 75,000 deaths per year, about 200 deaths per day and represents the leading cause of avoidable mortality.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Saint-Etienne, France.
(XHTV)