New smoking rules are on the way in Belgium and France, but the two countries are taking different directions on one of the most common smoking places, outdoor cafes.
In France, new rules that took effect Sunday will sweep smoking out of parks, beaches, bus shelters, schools, gardens and sports facilities but will leave the terraces of cafes alone. The rules also do not apply to e-cigarettes.
Belgium, on the other hand, has drafted legislation that bans smoking in outdoor seating areas and is planned to take effect on January 1, including a smoke-free 10-meter space around the cafes. It also provides for eliminating smoking rooms and for making cafe owners partly responsible for enforcement. Cafe owners are protesting that part, saying that if they are following the rules they should not be responsible for customer behavior. They are also calling for a longer transition period.
