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Dec 15th, 2024
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French smoking ban
SXMScubaman
1 hour ago
I know this was discussed in a prior post but here is the full yext of the law. I'm just the messenger so be kind.
"Effective today — Sunday, June 29, 2025 — a major public health shift has taken effect in France and all its territories. Smoking is now banned in dozens of public outdoor spaces, from the beaches of Guadeloupe to the parks of Paris.
🔥 This is urgent. The ban is live now — and the penalties are real.
You can no longer smoke:
🏖 On beaches (like Sainte-Anne in Guadeloupe or Nice on the Riviera)
🌳 In public parks (from Champ de Mars in Paris to Botanical Garden in Fort-de-France, Martinique)
🚏 At bus stops, tram stops, and train platforms (Hexagone + Outre-mer)
🏫 Near schools, libraries, stadiums, swimming pools — within a 10-meter radius
The law covers all of France, including:
🇫🇷 Mainland cities: Paris, Lyon, Marseille, Toulouse, Lille...
🏝 Overseas territories:
Caribbean: Guadeloupe, Martinique, Saint-Martin, Saint-Barthélemy
Indian Ocean: La Réunion, Mayotte
Pacific: New Caledonia, French Polynesia (like Tahiti, Bora Bora), Wallis and Futuna
North Atlantic: Saint Pierre and Miquelon
> “Where there are children, there must be no tobacco,” said Health Minister Catherine Vautrin. “A beach, a park, a school — these are places to breathe, not to smoke.”
⚠️ Break the rule? Get fined.
🚓 Violators face:
A 135-euro fine (standard)
Up to 750 euros in aggravated cases
The Ministry of Health has confirmed enforcement starts immediately, though a brief "awareness" period will be allowed in some places.
❌ Vaping is NOT included — yet.
E-cigarettes remain legal in public spaces under this law — a point that’s already drawing criticism from anti-tobacco advocates. “Flavored vapes are bait for kids,” said Yves Martinet of the National Committee Against Tobacco.
📉 Smoking is dropping — but the government wants a smoke-free generation.
Smoking kills 75,000 people annually in France.
Passive smoke causes 3,000–5,000 deaths a year.
Only 24% of adults smoked daily in 2023 — a record low.
This law is seen as a bold push toward a smoke-free generation. And it’s just the start: the government also raised penalties for selling tobacco or vape products to minors.
If you're in Guadeloupe, La Réunion, Paris, or any part of France — this change affects you right now. Watch for new signage in your town and don’t light up where you shouldn’t."
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BVI Increases Temporary Import Fee threefold
Zanshin
13 hours ago
The BVI has once again managed to add a new boating fee without giving any corresponding service. The old temporary import, which is necessary if the boat remains in the BVI for more than 30 days, costs around $200. As of June 1st, that fee has gone up to $600. And back in the day, you could do your temporary import in just a few minutes at any port of entry, but now that needs to be done in Road Town.
BVI Charter Acts changes
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Trip almost over report
Itsbish
Yesterday at 11:10 PM
Winding up 3 week stay on Tuesday We had a mildly irritating start in charlotte. Due to a leg injury my wife needed a wheelchair which was prompt but check in is at a special desk Agent kept insisting I show him my SXM QR code on my phone.???? Finally had to tell him i would do it at Sint Maarten even though i had completed the form on line a week earlier Must have had his islands mixed up. Sargassum was heavy at Grand case beach club but they got it cleaned up in about four or five days. Orient beach was hit or miss some days heavy some not. Did drive over to pinel ferry just to see What a mess! Best meal was Chicken lasagna at Oasis Worst meal was at Bistro Caribes which is always excellent.. i just ordered the wrong thing Everybody elses was great. Waved at moderator Carol at BSV as we went by on a motorboat But nobody waved back LOL. Never seen low season this slow in twenty years. 10 to 15 people on wai and Kontiki beaches each day Restaurants not crowded anywhere. Weather a little hazy but still plenty of sun with a great breeze every day. Last half of stay at Orient Beach Hotel probably about a third occupancy if u know Florence at OBH Monday is her last day. A great person! Phillipsburgh was not hot and that is a news flash not a busy cruise ship time Went to Divi and walked around because in twenty years we had never beenn they were not busy either !only other thing of note is that we always take AA flight 2478 from CLT to SXM coming and going and this trip the license plate on our rental car was 2478 Kinda cool... maybe?!?! Perfect trip for us as we just go with the flow BISH PS I do not write very good trip reports!!!!
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Folly Beach, SC - how crowded after 3pm?
Kelann
06/28/2025 01:46 PM
Hi all - any TTOLers out there familiar with this beach? I'm in Charleston with daughters and granddaughter for a week and we're planning on some beach time. We prefer the later afternoon hoping the early birds have had enough and have cleared out.
Thanks!
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how long can i keep frozen food in soft sided cooler
Murdock
06/28/2025 03:10 AM
packed an AO sofft sided cooler full this afternoon at 6pm - airport hotel said we could use their freezer for i but on arrival they said it was too big for walk in and no outside food could be brought in.
So - i don’t expect we’ll be at the charter boat until 6pm tomorrow (24 hours later) I can probably put some ice in it at the layover airport. most everything had been frozen including a restaurant pan of lasagna…frozen solidfor 3 weeks - all vacuum sealed
If any of you have been in my shoes I will happily take guidance or input…. . i think i am good but having recalled posts like this in the past I would appreciate tips or
any boots on the ground type of input
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The Jolly Roger Inn memories
Aries4
06/27/2025 01:41 PM
I recently came across these photos of the JR from my very first trip to the BVI in 2005. It was one of my favorite places on Tortola, if not the Earth. Was happy to get to know over the years, and am still friends with Lou!
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2025 trip so far
Jerry_R
06/27/2025 05:32 AM
Day 1 - Saturday – Left Miami on AA2440. Flight landed early. About 1 hour from the plane door to the airport exit. Immigration took about 20 minutes. The rest of the time was waiting for our checked bags. Lesley and his wife Shirley were waiting with our car & we were off to Royal Palm. 4 p.m. is supposed to be check in time but our room was not ready. Finally got into the room about 5:30 p.m. Dinner @ La Patrona – marvelous. Back to the room and early to bed as we were tired from a long travel day.
Day 2 - Sunday – Still worn out from travel. Obviously not as resilient as we were 10-15 trips ago. We are in our 70"s. Cancelled plans for the day. Had wanted to go to the Jazz afternoon @ Puerto Cupecoy. Decided on a pool day, groceries @ Market Garden, and then dinner out. Skipjacks across the road did not disappoint. Early to bed.
Day 3 - Monday – More energy today. Spent a few hours @ D’s Beach Bar. $10 for an umbrella and chairs were free. We were the only ones on the beach from 10 am to 1 pm. A few guests in the restaurant. Beautiful. Stayed for lunch and the management waived the umbrella fee. Service was quite attentive but a bit slow. Giant hamburger for me & fish for Cindy. Spent the rest of a rainy afternoon @ RP pool. Roma for dinner. Pappardelle Bolognese for me and Gorgonzola Gnocci for Cindy. A little unsuccessful gambling @ Casino Royale.
Day 4 – Tuesday – Shopping in Phillipsburg. Visited Kay’s to buy a small gift for our cat sitter. She will not take cash so we’ll try some bling instead. Wound up getting a gold bracelet for my wife Cindy as an early anniversary present. Tried to shop @ Gulmohar’s but they were closed. We were told they had a death in the family & closed up for a few days. Lunch @ RP pool bar. Dinner @ Sal e Pepe. Marvelous as always. Short trip to Hollywood casino. Profitable evening!! Up $400.
Day 5 – Wednesday – Laundry. Poor facilities here @ RP. 4 washers & 4 dryers. Free. 2 dryers not working. Took 3.5 hours to do 2 loads as I had to wait for a dryer. I’d rather pay & have working equipment. Lunch in the room. Tried Catch 21 @ Port de Plaisance. Good choice. New place for us. Created by Roma, Jax, etc. I had a pizza and Cindy had lobster mac & cheese. Both were excellent. Casino was empty and not user friendly. Will probably never go back except to eat.
Day 6 – Thursday – RP pool closed for at least the next 4 days. Bummer. Leftovers lunch in the room. Shuttle to Flamingo to use their pool. 2 for 1 drinks until 3 p.m. Dinner @ Bovin. Wife had steak & scallops & I had just a steak. Excellent. Sad that we have walked by this place for years & did not take advantage. Only complaint was that the mashed potatoes could have been hotter. Back to Hollywood. I lost a bit but Cindy won $100 playing Blackjack. She started with $10. We are still on the plus side. LOL
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