French School Principal Sues Parent Advocating for a Smokefree School

By Joe Cherner

In September 2004, my children started middle school at the "Centre International de Valbonne," a middle/high school in France. We love the school, but we were disappointed that the school had two illegal smoking areas for students - one in front of the entrance to the library, the other in front of the entrance to the cafeteria. Students had to pass through the smoking sections to get into the library and cafeteria.

I immediately stopped by the principal's office and asked the secretary if I could schedule a meeting with the principal about the smoking sections. She told me the principal would not see me about that issue. I asked if I could send a letter to the principal. She told me no, and in any case, it wouldn't help. I sent a letter to the principal anyway, but he didn't respond.

At this point, smokefree.net set up an Internet alert to the principal. I sent an announcement to my listserv notifying them about the alert. I included a picture that had been taken of the smoking section in front of the library. The faces of the students were blurred out. Over 150 letters were sent to the principal asking for compliance with French law by eliminating the smoking sections.

The school's three parent associations also sent a joint letter asking for compliance with the law and removal of the smoking sections. Some French health groups got involved, and eventually we won. The ashtrays in the smoking sections were removed, and the school agreed to include in their bylaws to be smokefree. Although the school does little to enforce the smokefree policy, the situation is much better.

This year, I was elected president of the Parent/Student Association for the section of the school which my children are in. I do a lot of volunteer work for the school as a result. Two weeks ago, I was in a meeting with other parent/student representatives and the principal. It was the first time I'd ever been in a meeting with the principal. He did not say anything to me about smoking or a lawsuit.

Having not heard anything about this situation in over a year, I was shocked to be served with papers today claiming that I defamed the principal and ruined his reputation in 2004.

If you know anyone in France who would be interested in helping me, please ask them to contact me at Joe@smokefree.org. Thank you.

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