LAWMAKERS have voted on measures to tackle growing destruction from climate change-related wildfires.
French lawmakers have voted to ban smoking in all forests and woods during the fire season.
The ban is part of a series of proposed measures to tackle growing destruction and dangers from climate change-related blazes.
National Assembly lawmakers voted unanimously (197-0) last month in favour of a proposed law to better prevent and tackle forest fires. The draft has already passed through the Senate.
READ MORE: Smoke from massive woodland wildfire visible from space
An amendment also adopted by lawmakers would ban smoking in or near all forests and woods when authorities deem the fire risk to be elevated.
The smoking ban will build on an existing forest law that already bans the lighting of fires within 200 metres of wooded areas. It aims to reduce the risk of fires started by discarded cigarettes – a frequent cause of blazes, especially when woodlands are dry.
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