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How bad is the smoking situation in St. Petersburg, Russia?

How bad is the smoking situation in St. Petersburg, Russia?

Old Aug 4th, 2006, 07:27 AM
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How bad is the smoking situation in St. Petersburg, Russia?

As one who is very sensitive to cigarette
smoke, I am wondering whether people smoke inside restaurants, stores, hotels, etc.
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Old Aug 4th, 2006, 08:00 AM
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I too am sensitive to smoke, asthma. We were on a Russian river cruise about five years ago, and jumped ship in SP. We wandered around duing day and ate dinner in restaurants for the three or four nights that we were there.

I don't remember being bothered by the smoke either outside or in the restaurants themselves. Obviously people were smoking, but if I can't remember having any problems, it couldn't have been too bad.

You'll love SP, the streets, the river, the museums etc.... If you're there in the summer, the white nights are a visitor's dream. It stays like until 10:00PM at least.

I hope that the smoking part wasn' too vague, but I've had more problems in Italy and Paris.

Nina


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Old Aug 4th, 2006, 08:44 AM
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I am also allergic!

For some reason, Moscow seemed worse than St P but it was still prevalent.

Come to Scotland! Its wonderful to go out to bars and restaurants now that we have a smoking ban.
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Old Aug 5th, 2006, 06:30 AM
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I live in NY, where we have had a smoking ban in public areas for a few years- so when we got off the plane in Piter, my students were immediately sent into culture shock at people smoking in the airport.

Smoking is an issue in Russia, as cigarettes are so cheap and prevalent- everywhere. That said, I have never felt really uncomfortable due to smoking in a restaurant or cafe.

I have never really thought about people smoking in a store- hmm I suppose it must happen, it just never drew my attention. Its not super prevalent.

You can avoid it, just plan on moving away if smokers come nearby.

BTW- I think the smoking situation is much more persistent and annoying in other parts of the world- Paris in particular, where it is still seen as cool.

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Old Aug 11th, 2006, 12:17 PM
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We just got back and my teen was amazed by how many people smoked. And, yes they smoke everywhere except in the ballet where they rush outside during intermission to smoke.
It's like it was here years ago. As it was summer, we did not find it a problem, we simply ate outside in streetside cafes which are lovely. It might be a problem in the winter, but certainly no more so than in London which also allows smoking in restaurants still.

St Petersburg is so beautiful we were blown away and can't wait to go back.
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Old Aug 11th, 2006, 12:30 PM
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The only time I had an allergic reaction to smoke/pollution when I returned to Moscow after 10 years absense. No problems in St. Petersburg. I am generally not sensitive to smoke, that's why I was so taken aback by my reaction in Moscow (especially after having lived there for many years previously).

So, yes people smoke everywhere, cabs, public and private spaces, you name it. For some reason I found air in Moscow more irrtating to my skin. Still love the city, smoke and all.
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Old Aug 14th, 2006, 12:24 PM
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just came back! and not only the cities are impecable clean but there
wasn't many people smoking, only the young crow and it never bother us.
I don't recall anyone smoking in any of the rest.
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Old Aug 14th, 2006, 02:13 PM
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Hi Marti- not to hijack the thread, but how was your trip?

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Old Aug 14th, 2006, 02:31 PM
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Petersburg is, in my opinion, no worse than Western Europe.
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