PARIS : Last Puff in Paris

Count on millions of cigarette-loving French citizens to be in a lousy mood beginning Sunday.

That’s when a long-awaited public smoking law takes effect across France and its overseas territories. The law bans smoking in practically all public places--including public transportation, shopping centers and schools. Cafes and restaurants that permit smoking will be required to create nonsmoking sections and install ventilation systems. The law may be overdue; last year 54,000 French died from their smoking addictions. But pro-smoking sentiment is strong. “Someone tells me not to smoke and I’m joining the resistance,” said one opponent of the law.