France, July 2 -- While supporters say the bill - approved on Tuesday after a lengthy legislative process - would give seriously ill patients a final choice, opponents warn it remains too permissive.

Expected to receive final adoption on 15 July, the bill would create a "right to assisted dying", allowing eligible people who request it to use a lethal substance with medical support.

Under current legislation, known as the Claeys-Leonetti law, patients in France can refuse or stop medical treatment.

In certain cases, they can also receive deep and continuous sedation with pain relief until death. However, healthcare professionals cannot provide or administer a substance to cause death.

The words "assisted suicide" and "euthanasia" do n...