French keep on puffing, leave health worries to others

Government anti-smoking effort is halfhearted

The government has banned all cigarette advertising, and educational literature has been distributed to school children, but little else has been done to warn the public of the dangers of smoking.

According to Professor Albert Hirsh, an anti-smoking activist, "There is nearly no funding, or very very little funding" to support such programs.

Hirsh said the French government spends about $1 million a year educating the public about smoking. That's a fraction of the more than $10 billion a year it takes in from cigarette taxes.

There has been a 10 percent decline in smoking in recent years, but it appears to have little to do with health concerns.

The cost of a pack of cigarettes has doubled in the last five years, and now sells for $3. At that price, smoking seems more an investment than a habit.

Only 1 smoker has sued a tobacco company

On the other hand, it is unlikely that French cigarette companies will have to contend with the kind of difficulties common in the United States. Only one smoker has sued a French tobacco company demanding compensation for health problems.

"Litigation on product liability has not been an issue here, so there's not much to be negotiated," said Helene Bourgois from the Association of European Cigarette Manufacturers. Bourgois represents Phillip Morris and R.J. Reynolds, whose products are the biggest-selling non-French brands in France.

The French companies are following the developments in the United States closely, of course, but presumably without much concern. The French have given no sign that they have any interest whatsoever in kicking the habit.