How many people really smoke in France?

France has a long-standing reputation as a country of smokers - but is this actually true any more? We take a look at the latest smoking data.

You would be forgiven for thinking, therefore, that France’s international reputation as the ‘chimney of Europe’ is well-earned. But the truth is that health authorities – and actual authorities – have busily cracked down on the habit in recent years.

And the number of people smoking has plummeted as a result.

Much of the image of the French as a nation of cigarette lovers comes from the films of the French New Wave and pop culture icons like Serge Gainsbourg, who was rarely pictured without a cigarette in hand.

But, in fact, smoking in indoor public spaces and workplaces has been illegal in France since 2007.