France's prime minister Dominique de Villepin has announced a ban on smoking in public places.
Offices, schools and public buildings will introduce the order in February next year, while restaurants, nightclubs and bars can delay applying the ban until 2008.
"I am convinced the French people are now ready," said Mr de Villepin, adding France to a growing list of European nations like the UK, Ireland, Spain and Italy to adopt similar measures.
"The issue is ripe in our country, given the experiences that we know of elsewhere."
Mr Villepin said the ban will be ordered "by decree" in the next few days, a manoeuvre that allows the government to avert a potentially explosive parliamentary debate ahead of presidential and legislative elections next year.
Many French treasure their right to light up in cafes, bars or restaurants, and have sought to cast the debate as one of freedoms being infringed.
Smoking in France is not as taboo as in many other countries — even the French presidency's website shows a photo of a young President Jacques Chirac with a cigarette in his mouth.
The new rule will affect schools, train stations, airports, offices, public buildings and other enclosed public spaces starting on February 1st, Mr Villepin said.
Restaurants, discos and special cafes where tobacco is sold will be given an "adjustment" period until January 1st, 2008.
Smokers who infringe the ban will face fines of €75, while proprietors of buildings where the violations take place will be subject to twice that, Mr De Villepin said. "And we will mobilise a sizeable inspection team to ensure that the law is respected," he added.
Villepin said the state-run health care system will pay some costs of anti-smoking treatments for smokers who want to quit, while state-run hospitals will increase medical consultation services to help people kick the habit.
AP