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France bans smoking for tobacco-free generation

No Smoking - Level 0

France has banned smoking in public. France's health minister said public places are for children "to play, learn, and breathe; not for smoking". The ban will protect children from passive smoking. This is breathing in the "second-hand" smoke from smokers. France wants a tobacco-free generation by 2032.

Smoking is falling in France. However, passive smoking still kills many people. Most French people support a smoking ban in restaurants. Smoking can damage nearly every organ of the body. The smoke harms children's bodies. When children breathe in second-hand smoke, they can have breathing problems.

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No Smoking - Level 1

France has banned smoking in public places. France's health minister said: "These are places to play, learn, and breathe; not for smoking." She added that children have a right to breathe clean air. People who smoke in parks and on beaches will now be breaking the law. The ban will protect children from passive smoking, which is breathing in smoke from other people who are smoking. France wants a tobacco-free generation by 2032.

Smoking is falling in France. However, passive smoking still kills 5,000 people a year. Most French people support a smoking ban, even in restaurants. Smoking is a leading cause of disease and death. It can damage nearly every organ of the body. Cigarette smoke harms children's developing bodies. When children breathe in second-hand smoke, they can have breathing problems. It can damage their lungs.

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No Smoking - Level 2

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France has banned smoking in public places. Smokers who light up a cigarette in places like parks and beaches will be breaking the law. The smoking ban will protect children from passive smoking. This is breathing in smoke from other people who are smoking. France wants a tobacco-free generation by 2032. France's minister of health said smoking must "disappear" from public places. She said: "These are places to play, learn, and breathe; not for smoking." She added: "The freedom to smoke stops where the right of children to breathe clean air begins."

Smoking is falling in France. However, passive smoking still kills 5,000 people a year. Most French people support a smoking ban. They want bans at cafes and restaurants, but these places are not included in the new ban. Smoking is a leading cause of preventable disease and death. It can damage nearly every organ of the body. Smoking near children is dangerous because their bodies are still developing. When children breathe in second-hand smoke, they can develop breathing problems. It can damage their lungs. The new ban will allow children to grow up to be healthier.

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No Smoking - Level 3

France has banned smoking in public places like beaches and parks. Any smoker who lights up a cigarette in public will be breaking the law. The new smoking ban is to protect children from passive smoking. This happens when you breathe in smoke from other people who are smoking. The government wants to create a tobacco-free generation by 2032. This means protecting children today. France's Minister of Health said: "Tobacco must disappear from places where there are children … a park, a beach, a school. These are places to play, learn, and breathe; not for smoking." She added: "The freedom to smoke stops where the right of children to breathe clean air begins."

Smoking is slowly falling in France. However, passive smoking still causes up to 5,000 deaths per year. A recent survey showed that 68 per cent of French people support rules to ban smoking in public. They also want bans at outdoor cafes and restaurants, but these places are not included under the new ban. Smoking is one of the leading causes of preventable disease, disability and death. It can damage nearly every organ of the body. Smoking near children is especially dangerous because their bodies are still developing. Second-hand smoke can lead to breathing problems and asthma. It can slow down or damage lung development. People hope the new ban means children can grow up to be healthier.

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