Smoking in children's playgrounds set to be banned

THE French health minister, Marisol Touraine (pictured), has announced that smoking in public playgrounds will be banned from the start of summer.

In a statement the minister said that she intends to introduce a decree into parliament at the end of June with immediate effect.

Ensuring that the busy summer months would be tobacco smoke free in children's play areas.

There will also be a campaign to help people stop smoking with a phone number, 39 89, available to offer advice.

And the minister also said that bars and restaurants should do more to make sure outside terraces are smoke-free, to appeal to more visitors and tourists.