Well. At least no one can argue with my point of view: <BR> <BR>Smokers Suck!

A friend of mine tried this outside of Rome, and it worked nicely. <BR> <BR>We were eating lunch in a little place, where the bar was in a corner of the restaurant, and a man at the bar was smoking a horrible smelling cigar. I told my friend we would have to leave, as there was no way I could even consider eating with that smoke. He called over the waiter, who spoke good English, and asked that he tell the cigar smoker that we'd pay for all his drinks if he'd refrain from smoking while we were there. The waiter smiled and passed on the message, the man put out his cigar with a smile and a nod, and my friend bought him a drink. He would not allow us to pay for another drink, but he didn't smoke while we were there. When we left, he smiled and said thank you, and we did the same.

Celeste, what a fantastic idea! I think I will use it on an upcoming trip to Italy. <BR> <BR>

&lt;Stay within the limits of America, and don't bother us&gt; <BR>Surlok, I thought you were from South America, non? Do you mean don't bother us smokers, or could it be you were trying to pass yourself off as an European?

No, I'm not trying to pass by European, I've said many times on this board that I'm Brazilian, and I'm proud of my citizenship! <BR> <BR>By us I meant French, Italian, Spaniards, Brazilians, Portuguese, and all smokers from all over the world that are not within the limits of North America.. <BR> <BR>If I were in the States, I'd refrain for smoking, because these are your rules, and your country habits, but not in Italy, nor France , or Spain, or Greece, or Turkey, or Slovenia, or England, or whatever places, or countries where smoking is allowed. Why should I? Because of you, that are intolerant to smokers? <BR> <BR>If you politely ask me to refrain from smoking because you have asthma, or are sick, or pregnant, of course I would either stay away from you, or throw my cigarette away, but if you make faces to me, or impolitely complain, I'd ignore you, same way as you're disrespecting me and my right to smoke. <BR> <BR>Surlok

Bravo Surlok. I also am a smoker and respect those of you that do not smoke. However, if I am in a location where it is permissible to smoke, then you also have to respect me. Don't bitch and moan about it -- ask for another table, move to a table in the rear, go to a supermarket and buy food and eat it in the park, or have room service in your room for that matter. Wear a surgical mask if it makes you feel better. But don't intrude on me in locations where it is permissible for me to smoke. I know what the health hazards are, however, it is my decision to smoke, and I will live with the repercussions.

Second-hand smoke is recognised for the problem it is in Europe too. Only the mouthpieces (concious or not) for the tobacco industry say otherwise. <BR> <BR>Many people in Europe will not smoke at home because they know it is harmful to children, but want to retain the possibility of enjoying smoking in bars, restaurants, public spaces, and would never accept some of the restrictions places like California have set. <BR> <BR>I'm lucky to enjoy fine health, but I find the smell of cigarette (or worse, cigar) offensive while I'm supposed to enjoy my meal, I have friends who are not as lucky as I am and are therefore denied the possibility of enjoying an evening out, so I'd be very happy to see the European laws on maintaining smoke-free spaces respected in public places. However, the only way to have a law respected is to make it understood and accepted by a majority of people, and this takes time. <BR> <BR>I work in a big university hospital, where a large proportion of the MDs and nursing staff (!) smoke. The building has been designated as "a non-smoking area but not a non-smoker area". Little by little, we are reducing the number of areas where the staff (and patients and visitors) can smoke, while offering courses and counselling on smoking cessation, etc. The acceptance of the new rules are getting better and better, through continuous consultations with both smokers and non smokers, negociations, information, and we know it will be a long term endeavour until the whole hospital is once and for all a non-smoking/smoker zone. <BR> <BR>There is no reason to blame tourists (Americans or else) for wanting to find a smoke-free environment during their travels. It would just be nice if they could refrain from demanding in a very loud voice that we address the problem in exactly the same way they do.

Why don´t you do like i do ? A MASK IS OK !!!!

As one of our local DJ's said on the radio: <BR> <BR>"The 'no-smoking section' of the restaurant is like the 'no-peeing' section of the pool." <BR> <BR>

From an american that lives in Italy for many years, I will only say that if the smoke here bothers you as it bothers me (in the country that seems to love smoke the most), you won't have many choices. <BR> <BR>Try to eat in places that offer outside tables. Also, if you are lucky to know of or hear of a restaurant that offers a non-smoking section, try that (I warn you that all the ones I know of are in basements). Usually, in the winter, this is your only option as many places do not keep tables outside in the winter. <BR>You could even try going to eat at off hours or really early, as if you are in a city with lots of tourists, they will be doing the same thing ( you just have to hope they are all american non-smokers). <BR> <BR>If you are realistic, most tourists don't know about non-smoking places, and many are not here during the warmer months. In this case, be prepared to breath SHS if you are going to eat out. It is a fact of life here. <BR> <BR>One note extra, don't think you are safe if you find a place with no smoking signs around, they don't mean a thing here. <BR> <BR>Final word, there is hope. Italy is very slowly moving towards having 100% smoke free public areas. It is a new law at the moment but not inforced.