JeanMarc Roubaud Gard feared a discontent

A year of Government work, ongoing consultation and five months of parliamentary mission: Dominique de Villepin and his Minister of health Xavier Bertrand, have not spared their sentence to prepare the ground for the prohibition of smoking in public places. Their efforts have not been in vain. Despite the grumbling of tobacconists, their decision justified by the imperatives of health public was welcomed by virtually all of the political class. Bernard Accoyer, President of the UMP in the Assembly and himself group physician, hailed "progress". The spokesman of UMP, Luc Chatel, spoke of a "necessary" initiative, courageous and pragmatic, believing that "it was necessary to go further in the fight against tobacco and to all measures which were taken about 15 years ago. Julien Dray, the spokesman of the PS, found this "Welcome" decision For the UDF, it has expressed, by the voice of Marielle de Sarnez, that it was "time to do so." Only the MPF Philippe de Villiers has described it as "unnecessary and dangerous."

"Moral".

This does not, in the majority, of great concern. There are those, first, who fear to dos cafés, restaurants, discos and flows of tobacco. The UMP asked that they be given "the means necessary for their adaptation. Near tobacconists, Richard Mallié, Deputy of the Bouches judge also "too short" the fifteen month period granted for compliance.

There are mainly those and they are many who fear that this "new forbidden", after drinking and 0,5 grams per litre at the wheel and the generalization of radars, give the feeling that one bride individual freedoms. "It's a real query for all parliamentarians." "In our constituencies, discontent is bright", demonstrates Paul - Henri Cugnenc, Member of the Hérault. Jean-Marc Roubaud (Gard) feared "a discontent." "We are recreating a tightening moral order", to carry Jacques Myard (Yvelines), while Christine Boutin, elected from the same Department, evokes a "very worrying skid." Michel Roumegoux (Lot) reminds him that "radars have already cost extremely expensive to the right" to the regional 2004. "There is a real problem on this theme of freedoms." "What is that we do lot of pedagogy", said Pierre Méhaignerie (Ille-et-Vilaine).

Reassuring surveys

A few months of the elections, polls are yet reassuring. Whether the prohibition of smoking in public places, the limitation of the rate of drinking and driving or the number of radars, the core of objectors does not exceed 30 in recent surveys of the FIFG. "In 1993, the promulgation of the Evin law against smoking and alcoholism could still cost its author his seat." "Today, the teaching was made", provides Jérôme Fourquet, Director of studies at the FIFG. French feel that the ban has to be decided is a form of "liberation" for non-smokers. Some elected officials are any other analysis. "The pro-tabac not forget us not at the time of voting, while we gain no voice of anti", says one of them, repeating his anger of Georges Pompidou in 1966: "stop dog French." There are in this country too many laws, too much text, too many regulations! "That was that Prime Minister speaking to one of his collaborators, which brought him a stack of orders to sign. It was Jacques Chirac.