Members of Parliament have adopted a new law which penalises the possession and trafficking of doping products in sport with prison sentences and fines.
Under the new measures, offenders will receive up of five years in jail and a €75,000- fine, when it relates to drug trafficking. The penalty will be increased to seven years in prison and a €150,000 fine when the offence is committed as part of an organised group or against a minor. If the offence is committed by an athlete for his personal use the sentence will comprise a year in prison and a €3,750 fine.
French Minister for Sport, Bernard Laporte, said products which were justified medically will not be included. It is hoped that the new law will help bring France into line with the world anti-doping code in a bid to fight against drug trafficking.
