Loi Evin
Encyclopedia
The Loi Évin 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
.
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.
is dangerous to one's health.
The law also forbids smoking in all enclosed places accessible to the public, including workplaces, public transportation, cafés and restaurants, unless in areas specifically designated for smokers. The precise conditions for opening smoking areas were left to secondary legislation enacted by the executive; these 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 in practice 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.
France, on 1 February 2007, tightened these rules. Smoking is now banned in all public places (stations, museums, etc.); an exception exists for special smoking rooms fulfilling strict conditions, see below. 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.
Under the new regulations, smoking rooms are allowed, but are subjected to very strict conditions: they may occupy at most 20% of the total floor space of the establishment and their size may not be more than 35 m²; they need to be equipped with separate ventilation which replaces the full volume of air ten times per hour; the air pressure of the smoking room must constantly be lower than the pressure in the contiguous rooms; they must have doors that close automatically; no service can be provided in the smoking rooms; and cleaning and maintenance personnel may enter the room only one hour after it was last used for smoking.
A legal challenge against the new regulations was filed before the Conseil d'État in 2007, but was rejected.
The sale of cigarettes is illegal to under-16s and this restriction must be displayed visibly in all places that sell tobacco.
Claude Évin
Claude Evin is a French politician and lawyer.He was first elected in 1978. Prior to becoming a Member of Parliament, Claude Evin was the deputy mayor of Saint-Nazaire, a post he held until 1989...
, then Minister of Health, who proposed it to Parliament
Parliament of France
The French Parliament is the bicameral legislature of the French Republic, consisting of the Senate and the National Assembly . Each assembly conducts legislative sessions at a separate location in Paris: the Palais du Luxembourg for the Senate, the Palais Bourbon for the National Assembly.Each...
.
Origins
Previous to Loi Evin, French advertising laws discriminated against non-French producers. However, Scotch whiskyScotch whisky
Scotch whisky is whisky made in Scotland.Scotch whisky is divided into five distinct categories: Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Single Grain Scotch Whisky, Blended Malt Scotch Whisky , Blended Grain Scotch Whisky, and Blended Scotch Whisky.All Scotch whisky must be aged in oak barrels for at least three...
producers challenged France in the European Court of Justice
European Court of Justice
The Court can sit in plenary session, as a Grand Chamber of 13 judges, or in chambers of three or five judges. Plenary sitting are now very rare, and the court mostly sits in chambers of three or five judges...
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.
Provisions
The provisions of the law reinforce the restrictions placed on tobacco and alcohol and their advertising by its predecessor Loi Veil (1976).Alcohol
Alcohol advertisements are prohibited on television or in cinemas, strict control over messages and images, and the inclusion in all advertisements of a message to the effect that alcohol abuseAlcohol abuse
Alcohol abuse, as described in the DSM-IV, is a psychiatric diagnosis describing the recurring use of alcoholic beverages despite negative consequences. Alcohol abuse eventually progresses to alcoholism, a condition in which an individual becomes dependent on alcoholic beverages in order to avoid...
is dangerous to one's health.
Tobacco
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, unless in areas specifically designated for smokers. The precise conditions for opening smoking areas were left to secondary legislation enacted by the executive; these 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 in practice 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.
France, on 1 February 2007, tightened these rules. Smoking is now banned in all public places (stations, museums, etc.); an exception exists for special smoking rooms fulfilling strict conditions, see below. 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.
Under the new regulations, smoking rooms are allowed, but are subjected to very strict conditions: they may occupy at most 20% of the total floor space of the establishment and their size may not be more than 35 m²; they need to be equipped with separate ventilation which replaces the full volume of air ten times per hour; the air pressure of the smoking room must constantly be lower than the pressure in the contiguous rooms; they must have doors that close automatically; no service can be provided in the smoking rooms; and cleaning and maintenance personnel may enter the room only one hour after it was last used for smoking.
A legal challenge against the new regulations was filed before the Conseil d'État in 2007, but was rejected.
Tobacco advertising
The Loi Evin forbids any favourable advertising of tobacco, including on billboards, and prohibits the free or promotional distribution of cigarettes. Tobacco advertising is also forbidden at sporting events, and the law obliges televised coverage of foreign sporting events to make every attempt to hide similar sponsorship advertising that may be present.Information on contents of cigarette packets
According to the law, cigarette packets must display the tar, nicotine and carbon monoxide content. They must also display a health warning covering no less than 30% of the packaging.The sale of cigarettes is illegal to under-16s and this restriction must be displayed visibly in all places that sell tobacco.
Restaurants, bars, hotels and casinos
- The patron of the establishment must affix a sign at the entrance of the premises notifying entrants of the restrictions on smoking, and arrange any necessary refurbishment to ensure complete separation of, and protection from fumes of, non-smokers.
- An establishment may not be exclusively set aside for smokers.
Schools
- It is forbidden to smoke anywhere on the premises, whether inside or outside, in individual offices or in the cafeteria.
- No areas should be set aside as smoking areas, either for students, teaching staff or visitors.
Universities and adult training centres
- It is illegal to smoke anywhere inside on site, in individual offices or the cafeteria.
- Smoking areas may only be set aside outside on the site.
Public transport
- The ban on smoking includes all forms of public transport: bus, train, plane, boat etc.
- One may not smoke in taxis or cars that are not privately owned.
Hospitals
- It is forbidden to smoke in all covered and closed areas. Only outside areas may be reserved for smokers.
Sources
- Text of the law on LégifranceLégifranceLégifrance is the official website of the French government for the publication of legislation, regulations, and legal information. Access to the site is free....
- The “Loi Evin”
- :fr:Loi Evin