I know that there are some pretty strict laws about smoking in Australia (both federal and local), but I'm curious about the possibility of smokers in some of the smaller lodgings (i.e. b&b, hostels, etc.) I'd prefer to stay in a smoke-free environment, but wasn't sure the best way to ensure that.

The question came to me as I've just been sorting through and distributing some twenty boxes of craft supplies that belonged to a life-long smoker and I realized just how sensitive I am to it. Not to sound like a wimp or anything!

Hi Amy!

No worries on that score -- if anything, smaller properties are probably even MORE vigilant about no smoking! I can't think of any hotels that allow smoking, even in Greece (where they smoke more than anywhere in the world).

Regards,

Melodie
Certified Aussie Specialist

Thanks! I knew that I wouldn't have a problem in hotels, but wasn't sure if smaller properties/homes (B&B or rental apartment) had to follow the same. I like a variety of types of accommodation rather than all hotels, but wanted to be fairly sure that I wouldn't be spending a few nights in a smoked-in room.

I think you will find that the smaller properties have an absolute NO SMOKING rule, especially B&B accommodation. No one wants to taint their reputation over one person who may wish to smoke and the law states that there is no smoking withing 3 or 4 meters of a public door as well.

"I can't think of any hotels that allow smoking, even in Greece (where they smoke more than anywhere in the world)."

Try China, Melodie, where people (men, much less so women) smoke everywhere - the elevators included. At least that was the case 5 years ago.

In the US (in 2006 anyway) there were still motels that allowed smoking - usually the same rooms set aside for people travelling with pets. Personally I'd much rather sleep in a room that's accommodated smokers than cats and dogs.

Hey Neil,

Well, I think 5 years might have made a huge difference -- look at Ireland for example, I never thought I'd see the day when they banned smoking in PUBS, but that's been in existence for a few years now. Check on that China question Neil and get back to us!

I think there probably are still motels that allow smoking in the US, but not B&B's.

Best,

Melodie

I was in China this year and there are no smoking bans everywhere except in the "all Chinese" internet cafe. There was no smoking in the International hotels, trains most big shops etc. I was pleasantly surprised.

There you go. Of course the government was keen to make the country more foreigner-friendly during the Olympics, but all those smoking bans are a surprise. Do you mean to say that even the cabbies have stopped??

I used cabs a lot in Shanghai and I cannot remember any of the drivers smoking and I would remember seeing that I am asthmatic

I was thinking more of Beijing cabbies - we found the Shanghai guys more buttoned up, so to speak. After a couple of weeks in Beijing and other places I was stunned to find our first Shanghai cabbie wearing a uniform and requesting that we use the seat belts!

(PS Amy, sorry about the highjack...)

No problem on hijacking--I love to watch where threads can go! I was in China in 2005 and actually don't remember the smoking as much as the, well, air quality as a whole...hack, cough. It didn't help that I was there during record-breaking heat.