When France banned indoor smoking two years ago, the country’s beloved smoking habit, and cigarette sales, fell to an all-time low. Treasured café culture is feeling the pain now as a result, too.

This video posted on the BBC’s site explores the demise of the traditional French café, particularly in small villages, attributing the problem to the economic downturn and the struggle of farmers. But one village café owner was quick to point out that the economy’s not the only thing turning his customers away.

“Village cafes aren’t in fashion these days. There’s the bad economic situation and the smoking ban,” he said. Another café owner in Paris cited competition that smaller cafés face with the rise of chains like Starbucks as a major problem.

The downslide in popularity of the French café (at least two go out of business every day) is so tragic a problem to the French people that politicians are considering subsidies to keep them alive – but perhaps they could simply lift the smoking ban! It looks like the rebellious French are growing frustrated with it, anyway.