De Villepin avoids clash on smoking

The French government postponed 12 April 2006 legislation banning smoking in public places, less than a week after a humiliating climbdown over labour reforms. Dominique de Villepin, prime minister, who has seen his popularity hit a record low after his battle over labour reform, asked Xavier Bertrand, health minister, to carry out more evaluations on the impact of a smoking ban after a meeting to finalise plans for a new law.