Yes, the original question! I would like a real answer myself. This attack on people who ask an innocent question is the reason why I am apprehensive when it comes to posting anything. Why does this forum have to get so mean. Lighten up.

I'll let you know - I am headed to Paris and then Dinard in Bretagne for a thalassotherapy spa tomorrow from smokey Lausanne, Switzerland, where the European HQs of Philip Morris, B.A.T. and Japan Tobacco are located (cough, cough....!)

I remember this same question about Ireland and pubs. Would it work and all. It did. Everyone is always so sure there's some nationality that will not cooperate. Seems like there's some sort of hidden vicarious hope in some that it might just be the citizens of our favorite country who are rebel enough to put up just a little fight against the ol' rules and regs. But no....

I completely agree with restrictions that bans smoking in enclosed public areas. I've had numerous times when you're 5 minutes into a meal and the cloud starts to form. Keep your smoke to yourself.

<i>Why are there not more restrictions to stop people from doing something that is harming them </i>

WTNow, I can see the smoking issue is something you feel strongly about and not without reason. But the statement above is where you lose a lot of us. It's one thing to protect yourself from &quot;me&quot;. However, it's gone beyond the spirit of freedom and in treating the rest of us as fellow adults, in my opinion, when you decide to protect *me* from me. Anyway, blah, blah, blah from me... no one ever agrees on this stuff. Hey, how's the trips going? Did I read y'all were trying to sneak into Russia? haha

ps - I'm not saying all 37 million Californians get that wild look in their eye over a bit of tobacco, but at least 36.5 mil of them do. ;)

Don't know about Paris, but was in Lyon last weekend (where the proportion of smokers must be about the same) and everybody was observing the ban.

No smoking in any of the restaurants or bars we went to, and smokers had to go outside to have a cigarette. A few places had outdoor tables where smokers were congregating, while in other places they just hovered on the pavement.

I can't see why it would be any different Paris.

Well, Clifton,

Here is my whole statement:

&quot;Why are there not more restrictions to stop people from doing something that is harming them and all those that they smoke around and are particularly harmful to children? &quot;

I was clear to mention how it harms ALL and especially children which is my big concern. I would be less concerned if it was only hurting the adult who smokes.

Truly if anyone does ANY reading on the effects of smoking one can not help but admit that it truly is stupid. It is not just a bad habit, it harms ALL in MANY ways. Second hand smoke can be MORE dangerous than smoking.

It also costs a fortune to take care of all the people who have repercussions from the smoking ( 1st and 2nd hand) which impacts all.

It really is about education and I do not think they do enough education about it in Europe, so many think of it as just a harmless choice. I have read where 99% of Americans are aware of the harm of smoking but only 73% in Germany know it is harmful! WOW! That is PURE education.

Usually more educated people and people with a higher income do not smoke as much as poor people. ( Not saying it is only poor people who smoke). I am not upset with the poor people that get addicted to this horrible habit that fight for their weakness, but the endless campaigns by Big Tobacco companies that prey on peoples ignorance and health policies that do not inform their public about the harm. One sees so many young people smoking in Europe which is especially sad.

As smoker Jack Nickolson recently said &quot; It is death by stupidity&quot;. There really is no reason to defend this killer in my mind. If smokers could do it without polluting ALL of us, that would be another thing entirely. There just is no level of passive smoke that is not harmful.

Trips going well and I realize that much of the world will continue their addiction to cigarettes and we will have to do the best we can with that fact of life.

I do miss fresh air! ;)

As a special service from your friendly smoking European hosts, here a - hopefully up-to-date - list of the Old World's countries, ranked by the current status of legislation. I hope this offers some sincere consolation who think that this forum is always sooo mean ;-)


No smoking in restaurants, bars, cafes, no exemptions:

Croatia
France
Germany (States of Bavaria, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern)
Ireland
Iceland
Liechtenstein
Sweden
Switzerland (canton Ticino, other cantons are said to follow soon)
UK (not sure about NI, though)

===================================

Restricted smoking (seperate smoking rooms, either smoking or non-smoking unless larger in size than x square meters, etc.)

Belgium (only restaurants)
Denmark
Germany (all other states not mentioned above, seperate smoking rooms must be smaller than the main room of the restaurant or cafe, in some states no service personnel in smoking rooms)
Italy (legal requirements for smoking rooms usually too expensive, so more like a total ban than a real exemption)
Latvia
Luxemburg
Norway (exemptions for &quot;events&quot; in cafes or restaurants)
Portugal
Spain

================================

No restrictions

Austria
Czech Republic
Hungary (restrictions apply, but restaurateurs can easily avoid them)

Netherlands -- not sure about the situation.

I am all for a smoking ban, but it so often just forces the smokers to an outside table (if it is allowed). I LOVE to eat outside, so I am often surrounded by many more smokers that if there were no ban.

Ban it in and OUT!

I would appreciate it if foreigners did not nanny me in my home country and let me smoke on an outdoor terrace, while every American can expect me not to pester him or her on his or her way of life or habits.

If the government tried to ban personal firearms in the United States, would the ban be accepted just as readily?

Celiaanne
If smoking had banned everywhere, what taxes will increase. Also, how about all of the employees within the tobacco industry.

But you personally, will you accept that your taxes be increased to 50% more. How about if it went up to 100% of your annual taxes. I really don't want my taxes to increase but if the banning started, it's going to increase.

Blackduff (non-smoker)

A week or so ago, someone posted this question on Trip Advisor in the Paris forum. The question was actually answered without turning into a political football so anyone wanting the answer should go there and read for themselves. And yes, the ban seemed to be working.

What all of this discussion ignores is just how cool smoking is!

Seriously, though, as a non-smoker, I love these laws, but the righteous indignation that has taken over the US is pretty pathetic. And, yeah, Californians are pretty obnoxious about stuff like this.

Cowboy, you can add at least three other countries under &quot;No smoking in restaurants, bars, cafes, no exemptions&quot;:

Finland
Estonia
Malta

Yesterday I heard a rather perplexing question:

If public restaurants offer a smoking section, why don't public swimming pools offer a peeing section?

Thanks for the update, Elina.

I suspected Finland and the Baltic countries to be in that league, but lacked qualified information.

I did not mention Malta, since one source said that they had restriction but observance was somewhat vague in tourist areas.

I am somewhat amazed that professional tourist guides like Fodors don't put a map of this in their destination sections. The usually heated debates show that there must be some interest, IMO.

Now that you mentioned Baltic countries, one more to &quot;No smoking in restaurants, bars, cafes, no exemptions&quot;:

Lithuania

I can't understand why Americans are so uptight about smoking but think its ok to export massive amounts of tobacco. Just say no.

Jane196:
&quot;Lighten up&quot;

No one dares light up around this group.

It would be interesting to know how many of the self-righteous US citizens have purchased Havana cigars for themselves/friends/business associates?

:-)

dave

Oh, and before anyone jumps on me about the &quot;citizen&quot; notation, my family has been in North America since 1621 and I smoke. PPHHHTTT.

&quot;I can't understand why Americans are so uptight about smoking but think its ok to export massive amounts of tobacco. Just say no.&quot;

How right! And I'll add : ....&quot;and have nothing to say when US tobacco companies agressively target young people in developping countries&quot;