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- WORLD, Page 59World NotesFRANCEBreaking The Habit
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- Of all national stereotypes, one of the most enduring is of
- the Frenchman squinting through the smoke of the Gauloise
- affixed to the corner of his mouth, holding a glass of dark red
- wine in his hand. Last week the government declared war on that
- image. The Ministry of Health warned that 300 French men and
- women every day die prematurely from excessive smoking and
- drinking.
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- Per capita alcohol consumption in France is among the
- world's highest, and studies show that deaths from lung cancer
- among men have increased 366% since 1950. The government plans
- to introduce laws in parliament to increase the price of
- cigarettes 15% beginning in 1991 and to ban all tobacco
- advertising by 1993. Alcohol ads would be restricted to print
- media. Another study might then be necessary to find out
- whether the stereotypical Frenchman has been deterred by higher
- prices from inhaling cigarette smoke and vin rouge.
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