French first as restaurateur fumes over smoking fine
01 January 2000
The first restaurateur has been fined in France for failing to conform to the country's law that requires all restaurant and café owners to designate separate seating areas for smokers and non-smokers.
The Evin law, as it is named, came into effect two years ago, despite voluble complaints from the French catering industry.
The owner of the Auberge Bavaroise in Bordeaux was fined FF2,300 (£275) for failing to have a separate area for smokers. She has said she will not pay the fine.
