How French attitudes to cigarettes are changing
France 24Thursday, July 3, 2025 at 2:39:37 PM
Think of France, and you might imagine sidewalk cafés filled with people casually puffing away on cigarettes. But that cliché is fading fast—official numbers show smoking rates in France have plummeted in recent years. This piece digs into how the government’s crackdown on tobacco, from higher taxes to plain packaging laws, is reshaping old habits and challenging the country’s smoky reputation.
Editor’s Note: France’s smoking decline isn’t just a quirky cultural shift—it’s a sign of how policy can change deeply ingrained behaviors. For a country long synonymous with cigarettes, this turnaround matters because it shows even the most stubborn stereotypes can evolve. Plus, it’s a win for public health, with fewer smokers meaning fewer health costs down the line. Who knew fewer Gauloises could be such good news?
— Curated via WP Now’s
