Health Minister Roselyne Bachelot said the legislation would help stop messages proliferated by pro-anorexia websites urging or even giving advice to girls to become ultra-skinny. The health ministry estimates that between 30,000 and 40,000 women suffer from anorexia in France. The two age groups most vulnerable to the disorder are 12 to13 year-olds and 18 to 19 year-olds
"Encouraging young girls to lie to their doctors, advising them on foods that are easier to vomit and inciting them to beat themselves up each time they eat is not freedom of expression. These messages are death messages. Our country must be able to prosecute those who are hiding behind these websites," Bachelot cited to the members of the French Assembly.
Under the legislative measure, which has been adopted by the lower house of parliament, offenders could face jail sentences of up to three years and €30,000 (US$47,387) in fines.
Last week, the French fashion industry led fashion houses, advertising firms and media outlets in signing a charter to fight anorexia among models in magazine advertisements and catwalks. The charter outlines a series of guidelines but falls short of imposing restrictions, as is the case in Spain which has set limits on the weight for catwalk models.
