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French favour smoking ban

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Published Date: 22 September 2006
MOST French people are in favour of introducing a total ban on smoking in restaurants, cafés, bars and nightclubs a poll indicated yesterday.
The IFOP poll showed 77 per cent in favour of a ban in restaurants with only 23 per cent against. Meanwhile 66 per cent backed a ban in cafés, bars and brasseries.

A parliamentary commission has yet to rule on whether a ban should be imposed by law or government decree.



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  • Last Updated: 21 September 2006 9:30 PM
  • Source: The Scotsman
  • Location: Edinburgh
  • Related Topics: Tobacco , Smoking issues
 
1

Colin,

Banff 22/09/2006 00:50:20

Sorry. Lost all faith in opinion polls when we caught Cancer Research repeatedly falsifying one of their online polls.

I cant think of a single reason to believe this one.

What does IFOP stand for anyway?

Intentionally False Opinion Polls?

2

Conny,

Malta 22/09/2006 04:50:19

In another article I found 957 person were polled. France has a population of around 62.800.000. So these 957 (0.00153 %) answered for ALL French?

3

Gaia,

22/09/2006 04:51:34

Colin,

I agree with you, i think there are a lot of dodgy things going on in these polls on smoking bans. As for Cancer Research they will not be getting any more donations from me since i have found out ALL the things they have been up to.

4

__-Steve-__,

22/09/2006 05:29:14

18 million smokers in France; this story is laughable. Why don't reporters dig into things anymore to expose this kind of tosh?

5

,

22/09/2006 06:26:27
Comment Removed By Administrator
Reason: Scotsman Import, Original comment id: 78787, Article id was mapped to record!
6

ChrisC,

22/09/2006 09:30:23

These surveys do not come about by accident and, if the poll company wants more trade, must satisfy the wishes of the client. Obvious examples are those for ASH and Cancer Research UK that were phrased to ensure the desired results far different to the more trusted ones produced by the Office for National Statistics.
Do the French actually favour a ban?? Surely reporters have a duty to research their stories. A look at the figures shows that only 39% WANTED a ban in bars and in true zealot fashion there was no option for undecided or don't know.
The same poll could, if the publishers were not so hell bent on demonising smokers, be "68% of French want Freedom to Choose" or "Only 32% want Draconian non-smoking laws"
If your reporter made an effort to Google they would have found:---
" To note one framed on a survey to appear the next month in the Review of the Counters, according to which 77% of the French are “rather favorable” to prohibition to smoke in the restaurants, 66% in the bars and 61% in the establishments of night. In addition 86% are “rather favorable” “hermetically to separate the room smokers from the room not smokers” in the establishments of more than 100 m2, and they are 68% to leave to the owner the choice decide statute of its establishment when it makes less than 100 m2."
The Full document can be found at http://www.ifop.com/europe/docs/interdictiondefumer_bars.pdf

7

Robert Feal-Martinez,

Swindon 22/09/2006 12:22:21

As Chris shows more selective reporting whatever happened to journalists seeking out the truth, not creating their own version. As has been commented we know the anti smoking lobby make up their surveys and when all else fails they disappear of their websites. At least Freedom to Choose will shortly be in a position highlight all these lies in a courtroom. www.thebigdebate.org. visit us there and learn the truth for yourselves.

8

sorochin,

New York 22/09/2006 15:32:35

If the majority of French people really do favor non-smoking environments, a ban is unnecessary, as businesses will adapt to the popular will. End of story

9

Bill Crombie,

22/09/2006 17:37:13

Once again journalists do not question the validity of such opinion polls and only report the things that will grab the headlines.

Has the Scotsman ever questioned the use of funds that have been donated by the general public to organisations such as CRUK or BHF in the belief they were going to be used for research into cures for cancer and other diseases. However, it is pretty obviously that these funds have been diverted into the anti-smoking diatride that we have been subjected to over the last 2 years or so.

These organisations are not political and should be investigated for fraudalent use of donated funds for purposes other than what they were intended for.

Wake up journalists and start showing some backbone for once, rather than pandering to the politically correct stance of the day.

10

snowbird11,

Thunder Bay,Ont. Canada 22/09/2006 20:38:51

A truer smoking poll should be conducted amongst the owners, workers and the customers, since they have a vested interest in the smoking issue.
Why should people who never or very seldom patronise the hospitality industry be included in these 'polls'??
The antis play this 'trick' all the time.

11

Michael J. McFadden,

Philadelphia USA 22/09/2006 21:39:11

Great research Chris!

The Antismokers over here in the US developed that style of polling and consistently come up with the same sort of lopsided results. The tricks lie in the phrasing, in the presentation, in the lack of options presented (though it looks like this one DID present decent options... but then the press release/report just basically lied by not mentioning them), and in (as Tom LaPrade points out) the choice of population surveyed.

Of all the dozens upon dozens of polls such as this that the Antismoking Lobby has spent millions of dollars upon, NOT ONE has ever just surveyed bar and restaurant workers who are the main ones the laws are supposed to protect.

NOT ONE. That in and of itself shows the kind of lies that are promoted to push these bans.

Michael J. McFadden
AUthor of "Dissecting Antismokers' Brains"
http://pasan.TheTruthIsALie.com

12

Seasider,

Blackpool 23/09/2006 00:14:16

I Agree wholeheartedly how can France with a massive amount of smokers end up favouring a ban ! it just dosn,t add up !
"You can fool people some of the time but you can,t fool people all of the time!"
An earlier report said they were going to revolt and demonstrate against a ban? so who,s fooling who?

13

,

23/09/2006 01:36:52
Comment Removed By Administrator
Reason: Scotsman Import, Original comment id: 79964, Article id was mapped to record!
14

snowbird11,

Thunder Bay, Ont. Canada 23/09/2006 04:11:13

Who did they do a economic impact study on? The doughnut shops and big restaurant chains?
These anti-smokers are very, selective. They will never admit that smoking bans hurt hospitality venues even if there is solid proof that the bans are killing and bankrupting many businesses.
Everything else is blamed instead from 9-11 to owner incompetence. Even though many of the affected businesses were successful for several years or decades before the implementation of fascist smoking bans, within the hospitality industry.
Along with the politically correct media and governments, these pollsters are acting in a criminal fashion. These pollsters are directed by the governments and health groups, they are sure they ask loaded questions and look for businesses that would be the least likely affected by smoking regulations.
"One size does not fit all" in the industry of hospitality. There is a huge difference between a fast-food restaurant or take-out drive true restaurant than a small "Mom and Pop" diner.
There is also a huge difference where bars, clubs and gambling venues are concerned when compared to restaurants, depending on their regular clientele.
No matter what the anti-smoking people and pollsters may claim: Few hospitality venues can afford to disenfranchise and lose even 10% of their regular customers.
In most bars, gambling facilities and clubs smokers make up from 50%-90% of the businesses regular customers.
Many of these people will not frequent such establishments once smoking bans have been enacted. It gets "old" real fast going outside to smoke especially where weather conditions are unfavourable.
Many smokers just stay home and drink instead. They get used to saving money that they would have otherwise spent in the hospitality industry. Their friends and families also will stay home with the smokers.
Non-smokers do not come out in the great numbers that the politicians, hea

15

snowbird11,

Thunder Bay, Ont. Canada 23/09/2006 05:00:09

The vast majority of the public never or very seldom patronise the hoslitality industry on any given day.
Why should these people have a say in the matter on how the hospitality industry runs their business.

16

snowbird11,

Thunder Bay, Ont. Canada 23/09/2006 05:02:51

A small amount of smoke that is mixed with the air of a decently ventilated venue is harmful to your health??
It is not about health and it never was about health. It is all about denormalizing smoking.
Unfortunately, the hospitality industry is caught in the cross-fire.

17

Musician,

Columbus Ohio 23/09/2006 06:46:41

I traveled in France and I don't believe this supposed poll.

Another anti ploy, that's all.

18

Elizabeth,

Chicago 23/09/2006 12:39:18

Chicago residents didn't even get a vote when the ban was addressed and the media really played up the waitress worried about her health angle. I have worked in restaurants and NEVER heard a single complaint from either smoker or nonsmoker employee. Actually only had one costumer ever complain.
As far as the polls go; I did receive a phone call after calling my alderman's office explaining my opinion the ban should not be passed, asking whether I supported a full ban or partial (ie tobbaccoist, bars and private clubs would be exempt). No choice as to supporting no ban. This is how polls are conducted?

19

Chuckles,

london 23/09/2006 18:31:55

Elizabeth(18) thats how antismokers operate lack of options on opinion polls to get the results they want!!!!

20

Bruce,

Indianapolis, IN, USA 24/09/2006 13:11:46

If you think about it, when are these polls conducted? If the person is at home then they are not customers of the hospitality industry and never will be. Most people are working throughout the day, come home, feed and water the dependants, and watch TV until retiring. These are the people available for polling.

The people who are actually interested are at the venues that this poll is about, they will only be available for polling after the ban is passed. They and the first group.

There is no way any polling can get a legitimate result outside of polling the customers of the venues while they are there.

It is stupid to believe a poll about the entertainment industry taken by people who never avail themselves of them.

21

Douglas,

Bathgate 24/09/2006 13:46:13

Sacre bleu! To the barricades! It's an ideal way to clog up your streets with the new lepers as they huddle together in pathetic groups, blocking the pavements outside any pub/club/hotel. Not for long though as they close down due to lack of patronage. The air may be clean but fizzy water drinkers don't pay the bills, hell they popped in once to see the havoc their intolerance caused then went back to drinking at home anyway.

22

Donnie,

24/09/2006 17:46:57

In France believe it when I see it. As for the poll if its anything like the one done recently the only recipients and respondents were from Cancer Research check out the DOH website and look at where the consultation went, a total farce. Political Correctness was the tatic used by communists and facists to get people to adhere to their policies. Their banner has now been taken up by so called democracies. I would point out to the Labour Party that in the last election 9.5 million people voted for them. As they are now ejecting 14+ million people out of pubs and clubs into the street i think its a safe bet they themselves will be ejected at the next election - 14 million votes are more than 9.5 million. In the meantime Cig Heil.

23

Dunhillbabe,

ne england 24/09/2006 21:58:47

Indeed - a poll I read showed less that 40% support for even a partial ban in France. When the French government put a steep tax increase on cigs in France a couple of years ago, there were demonstrations and marches on the streets of Paris and beyond. If there is any attempt to bring in a total ban of the kind now being imposed by our diktators in there ivory towers, I guarantee there will be an outcry in France, and we will see the evidence of French Boulles that has been so sadly lacking from the smokers of ROI, Scotland England and Wales.


 

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