Loi Evin
The loi Évin (formally: "loi no 91-32 du 10 janvier 1991 relative à la lutte contre le tabagisme et l'alcoolisme", Law 91-32 of 10 January 1991 relative to the struggle against tobacco consumption and alcoholism) is the French alcohol and tobacco policy law passed in 1991. It takes its name from Claude Évin, then Minister of Health, who proposed it to Parliament.
Before the law, French advertising laws discriminated against non-French producers. However, Scotch whisky producers challenged France in the European Court of Justice and won. France was condemned and required to change the law in 1980 but did not produce satisfactory legislation until 1991, with the enactment of Loi Evin, which affected both alcohol and tobacco policies.
The provisions of the law reinforce the restrictions placed on tobacco and alcohol and their advertising by its predecessor Loi Veil (1976), legalising abortion.
Alcohol advertisements are prohibited on television or in cinemas. The law requires strict control over messages and images and the inclusion in all advertisements of a message to the effect that alcohol abuse is dangerous to one's health.
According to the law, all packets of cigarettes must display a health warning, and a limit is imposed on the tar content of cigarettes.
The law also forbids smoking in all enclosed places accessible to the public, including workplaces, public transportation, cafés and restaurants, except in areas specifically designated for smokers. The precise conditions for opening smoking areas were left to secondary legislation enacted by the executive; the rules changed over time.
Initially, the rules for smoking areas were rather permissive and were laxly enforced. Restaurants, cafés etc. just had to provide smoking and non-smoking sections, which were often not well separated. In larger establishments, smoking and non-smoking sections could be separate rooms but often they were just areas within the same room.
On 1 February 2007, the rules were tightemef Smoking is now banned in all public places (stations, museums, etc.); an exception exists for special smoking rooms fulfilling strict conditions. However, a special exemption was made for cafés and restaurants, clubs, casinos, bars, etc., until 1 January 2008, although the French government allowed a day of reflection on New Year's Day. Opinion polls suggest 70% of people support the ban.
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