We are coming from CA. I am not a rabid non smoker. I am originally from TX and you still see it there in public buildings. But I am not fond of being seated next to a table of heavy smokers while I am dining. Are there any limitations to smoking at all? Or is it like the old days here?

Smoking is pretty common in Paris, but it's less so than you might think. I was in Paris in September with my mother, who has asthma, my in-laws and aunt, all four of whom are "rabid non-smokers". We found it very easy to get seating upwind from any smokers, or to avoid them by sitting far away. We found a few restaurants that had non-smoking sections, but they are few and far between.

We found pubs in England to be MUCH smokier.

Happy travels,

Jules

Europeans are smart about alot of things, but smoking is not one of them.
Let's hope they wise up soon.

I don't know what it was like in the old days where you are from, but there isn't smoking everywhere in Paris. You can't smoke in the metro, on a bus, in lots of public places and things like that. You won't see people walking around dept. stores smoking, for example. I think even the TGV trains are entirely nonsmoking now, or soon will be. Everybody doesn't smoke, so it is very likely you won't be next to heavy smokers, but you certainly can help that by the seat you select and lots of places have nonsmoking sections. I don't think a lot of Parisians smoke real heavily in restaurants during meals, actually, it seems more common in cafes and tabacs and places like that.

We spent 3 weeks in Paris this August. I am usually bothered by second-hand smoke and it was not an issue for me or my family. There was clearly more presence of smoking, but we were not troubled.

Smoking in France, and in all of Europe, in public places is so restricted that you rarely see it these days. What a change. Where it is permitted there is a smoking area in restaurants, and in France. In some countries, e.g. Spain, you stand outside in the rain just like California. Trains everywhere are non-smoking, except where posted, or in some countries between the cars when you are allowed to stand there.

We've noticed a decrease in smokers in France on our last few trips. It is not nearly as offensive as it used to be.

I agree with Christina regarding the nonsmoking on the transportation system, but we found that most of the 35 or so restaurants we went to in Paris permitted smoking. You can ask for a nonsmoking area but we usually found that they would merely seat you at the end of a room. We finally just go used to the smoke as hard as it was.

France tried to pass a law in about September to prohibit smoking in restaurants but it failed.

If you please, what are tabacs?

Thanks for the info on the smoking.

<I am originally from TX and you still see it there in public buildings.>

I beg your pardon, dear Heavens?? How long has it been since your last visit to TX? I live in TX and indoor smoking only occurs in bars and a handful of restaurants. However, more and more cities such as Austin and Dallas have banned smoking everywhere, including bars. If you dislike smoking, TX is a great place to be these days.

Tabacs are little shops that carry cigarettes, newspapers, telephone cards, and assorted other items.

Ah, like a newstand here?

Oh they are limiting the smoking in TX now too. Not surprised. I just remember a few years ago while in Dallas, going into a restaurant and seeing people smoking and it looked so strange...

I know what you mean, Heavens. It's always a bit of a shock when I'm outside Austin and a hostess asks if we want a smoking table or not. To the best of my knowledge Houston is not totally smoke-free yet, but many restaurants have voluntarily done away with smoking sections because most people don't want it anymore.

The Michelin Red Guide has an ICON for non-smoling restaurants.

Stu Dudley

Tabacs aren't just little newstands, although some are. Others have a cheap cafe/restaurant attached (or are actually in one), and they may have pinball machines and stuff, and you can buy some things to eat. It's not fine dining, and a lot of younger kids (ie teens, early 20s) hang out in them.

It's like the old days here. There ARE options, however. Some restaurnts (not a high percentage, however) are totally non-smoking. Get a listing here at Fodors or elsewhere. If weather is nice, go for an outdoor table where any smoke is easily dispersed. Be cafeful about "non-smoking" sections (especially in mid to low priced establishments): "non-smoking" is these places often mean a table by the bathroom or kitchen and are referred to as "American alcoves"