France will follow suit next year after introducing a ban on smoking in offices, hospitals, schools and shops on Thursday this week.

BBC: Only 27% of 29,000 people polled said they were smokers

While smoking will no longer be permitted inside offices, hospitals, train stations, airports, shops and schools, the country's bars, cafes, restaurants and licensed tobacco bars have been given another year to kick the habit.

NPR: French Begin to Put Smoking Ban in Place

Energy efficiency can save trillions in national costs, but its side benefits are often even more valuable: 6% to 16% higher labor productivity in efficient offices, 20% to 26% faster learning in well-day-lit schools, 40% higher sales in well-day-lit shops, faster healing in efficient hospitals.

FORBES: Magazine Article

Immigrants own and run shops, serve in restaurants and staff hospitals (many of the doctors and nurses who work in Britain's health service have trained abroad).

ECONOMIST: Charlemagne