What is the smoking policy in Italy? We are going to Sicily in May, and I want to know what to expect. Thanks.

It is interesting how many Americans endorse government intervention ( even in other countries ) and would
have a bird if government in their country made any moves to ban guns or provide different health care options.
Talk about a cost to the society....
My ( European) mother used to light up with her girlfriends while enjoying the midday coffee.
I do the same once in while at home or in the outdoor European cafes.
(Thank you Spain).
Purist be damned!

My wife and I will be in Paris for the month of May, and we are looking forward to being inside restaurants, etc. that are not filled with smoke and with smokers. We were delighted the last time we visited Paris to discover no smokers in the Metro--quite an improvement from our earlier visits many years ago.

Nine years ago, we had this experience in two restaurants: We politely asked "Nous voudrions une table pour non fumeurs, s'il est possible" and were told "Mai oui, Monsieur." We were then escorted to a table surrounded by smokers, and the waiter ceremoniously placed a "Defense de Fumer" sign on our table.

This May should bring a more pleasant experience for us (Californians).

Wow - I am the OP, and I had no idea this topic would touch so many nerves.

Despite the second-hand smoke we experienced in Paris restaurants last fall, I would still choose to return to enjoy the city and all it has to offer, regardless of whether the ban had been enacted or not. Paris is an amazing city.

In posting, I was just curious to know how it had all shaken out, as it was quite the topic of converstion last November, when I was there. I was not attempting to pass judgment or engage in a political or moral debate ...

I do think personally that tobacco is unhealthy, and that smoking in public places exposes everyone - even non-smokers - to the risks posed. And I also agree that the tobacco companies target youth and lower-income people, which is unfortunate.

But I also realize we all make our own choices, and if smoking is accepted in a place I choose to patronize, that is my own repsonsibility.

And yes, I am from California (sorry, all you CALIF-haters) and I recall when the no-smoking in public places law was passed here, there were cries of doom and gloom - it was assumed by many that all bars and resturants would lose business and many would fold - and that never materialized.

I posted just because I was curious if that had been the case in France, as well.

People are not smoking indoors at all. The law is applied strictly. However, very many cafés have expanded their outdoor terraces and installed butane umbrella or electric overhead heaters, since smoking is still permitted at tables outside, which can be partially enclosed "if one side is completely open or if it is completely open overhead." I have seen a few establishments worthy of debate on this subject, but as it has been a very mild winter so far, basically smokers have no problem sitting outside and do not need to benefit from excessive protection.

Most smokers are happy to be prevented from smoking too much, but there have been a few reports of "meals on the run," exactly as Belgium had last year. This concerns people who have dinner and who say they are going to step outside for a smoke before dessert -- and who run off without paying.

There have been quite a few complaints about discothèques, along the lines of "they used to smell like smoke -- now they stink of sweat!" Most establishments say that this problem will be resolved as soon as they change their upholstery and wall hangings.

This thread is making me want to go to California. I survived years and years of suffering from second-had smoke at home (my father smoked, didn't quit until I was an adult), in college, in workplaces, and it has always caused me problems ranging from bad headaches and grogginess (not my tpical state at all)to productive coughs a day or two after exposure. California is sounding very appealing.

Does anyone know the status of smoking laws in Greece? I loved Greece, but it seemed to be the most smoking-addicted country I've visited. However, it wasn't a huge problem to me as a visitor, since I almost always ate outside.

kerouac seems to be pointing out what has certainly been the case here in Florida. I used to love sitting outside at cafes, but since the indoor smoking bans, sitting outside is really sitting in a sea of smoke as generally almost everyone sitting outside is smoking.

Greece and the Netherlands are considered to be the worst countries in Europe at the moment, in terms of smoking problems.

A very personal side effect of the no smoking ban on our trip to Ireland in 2005:

My family of five rented a house through the Irish Heritage Foundation in Temple Bar, across from the Film Institute, just after the smoking ban had gone into effect.

The rock bar a few doors down was jam packed every night from 4:00 pm until 4:00 am and all the smokers would be out in the street under our windows with their drinks and very loud laughter and drunken behavior until the place closed. The street in front of the house was strewn with empty beer mugs, cigarette and cigar butts, and related trash.

We could not wait for our five night stay to be up and we were thrilled when we finally got to London, the second half of our trip, and were able to get some sleep!

We expected Temple Bar to be "lively" but not to that extent.
I wonder if that is still going on. Believe me, we're not about to go back there to find out!
Eve

"Does anyone know the status of smoking laws in Greece?"

We were in Greece (Athens, Mykonos, Santorini, Crete) in October - there was definitely plenty of smoking in restaurants and other indoor venues ... I think we noticed it less than we did in November in Paris, mainly because the weather was so much warmer, we spent more time outdoors while in Greece.

This is the first time I've been bored reading a Fodors post - a big yawn to you all. PS. I'm a non smoker.

well, cathies, thanks for bringing the thread to life with your exciting post.

there are 17 HUMMER dealerships in California.... never mind other gas guzzlers.

so much for pure air...

Hummers? Was that a suggestion that eating at a cafe when a Hummer drives by could cause lung cancer?

I'm not arguing that Hummers are good for the environment, but trying to relate what in the world it has to do with this thread.

Just got back from paris last week. Yes all the restaurants and the patrons obey the law. people who want to smoke, have to go outside to smoke . it is strictly enforced . However outdoor dining and smoking is still allowed.

< survived years and years of suffering from second-had smoke

This is REALLY sad and is repeated time and time again. I am in Europe with a young child and don't like what all the exposure does to her and the other children. This is not a "victimless crime" like some like to pretend.

Every mother should be passionate about this issue. There are no safe levels, so just walking a child on a street in Europe, exposes them to unnecessary risk. We have had more respiratory problems since being in Europe and I have never seen my daughter cough so much ( almost always connected to smoke).

People exposed to second-hand smoke have a greater risk of suffering from lung cancer, nasal sinus cancer, heart disease, stroke, and breathing problems, including increased coughing, wheezing, pneumonia, bronchitis, and asthma.

The bottom line is the reason France and so many places are doing this is because there is overwhelming evidence that second hand smoke KILLS and maims.

Tobacco smoking is the MAJOR cause of PREVENTABLE death and disease in developed societies. Over 650.000 Europeans are killed every year because of smoking related diseases, and 13 million more are suffering as a result of their smoking.

Facts and figures:

Tobacco kills 1 in 2 long-term users.
1 in 4 of all deaths from cancer in the EU is caused by smoking.
3 in 10 of all deaths from all respiratory diseases are caused by smoking.
1 in 10 of all deaths from cardiovascular diseases in the EU is caused by smoking.
The ASPECT report puts the annual cost of tobacco related disease in the EU at EUR 100 billion – or 1% of GDP.
Non-smokers also pay for costs of smoking through medical costs related to second-hand tobacco smoke, higher taxes and higher prices for products and services.

The other bottom line is that banning works! The studies show overwhelmingly that there is a huge decrease in heart attacks ( 27%!), workers in restaurants have much better lung and cardiovascular health, more people quit smoking, less cigarettes are sold, less smoking in the home,39% reduction of second hand smoke etc etc.

I really do not understand the pride in smoking, a tragic addiction. Perhaps some should visit people suffering the hideous slow painful death of lung cancer , one of the worst ways to die. ( I am a nurse and have seen it). I pity the sad 26% of French 15 year olds that are already addicted and any one else that has this monkey on their back.

A smoke free nation is something to be proud of and to work towards.Good for France and all the countries that are working towards a solution that is best for all. Won't it be wonderful when no child has to grow up with needless tobacco smoke polluting their fragile lungs like CMT's sad case?

Come to California,CMT, we have entire cities that are smoke free... and there are few places as beautiful!!

I hope my grandchildren can experience a smoke free Europe. How wonderful that would be!

WTnow
Give us a break, svp. Give us a few words about the smog in LA. Try drive from LA towards Riverside and tell me that the beautiful vista is great. The last time I was up that road my eyes were smarting with the smog. The smoke isn't from cigarettes but just pollution from the gas guzzling lead cars. Take a look at the cars in California. How many cubes in those engines. Why are all of these cars need to (1)have automatic transmissions, and (2)do all of these cars have to run their Air Conditioning wherever they drive.

Blackduff

Get over it. Wikipedia "smoking bans." A quick google search on "smoking bans" will also get you the same results. You can easily find out what countries allow indoor smoking, or if you will have to complain that the outdoor tables on your spring/summer vacations were filled with smokers who ruined your trip.

Or maybe, just maybe, <b>consider staying home.</b> You will be in the comfort of <b>your</b> home, <b>your</b> values, <b>your</b> native speakers, <b>your</b> comfort level.

Obesity caused by poor diet and general laziness/inactivity causes more health problems in the US than smoking.

How much do you weigh? What if I asked you how much you weighed? What if I complained about how looking at a country of fat people about to get diabetes or be stricken with heart disease because of the crap they ate, ruined my vacation? Or I told you you could not eat x food because it was bad for you? Did you know most foods that are consumed are processed? Did you know that they were not good for your health? Did you eat them anyway today, yesterday, the day before?

When you eat that 1/2 of a large extra cheese pizza from Dominos or Pizza Hut tonight, and let your children eat their happy meal from McDonald's, or you share the Family Meal from Boston Market that was pre-made in a factory, shipped and reheated under heat lamps, swimming in preservatives and hydrogenated oils and fat, think about your petty complaints about being around some smoke while on vacation for a few days and how that's going to kill you rather than the food you eat.

Also, when did y'all develop allergies to smoke? Seems to be a new one trotted out by the people who whine that they weren't allowed to say something prior to the not-so-widespread US smoking bans have been enacted on a state, county or city basis rather than widespread.

Like the other poster said, this is a snoozefest topic meant only to incite bitching from both sides of the smoking fence. Really, if it is soooo painful, why bother traveling.

Well there are really ugly parts to Tuscany, Capri, Provence and all over Europe, does not mean that all of it is ugly. People just show the pretty parts, but there are also lots of ugly glut as one drives around. NO PLACE is perfect. I love those places, but they are not perfect.

I am from Northern California which is a whole different ball game than one ugly, smoggy area of LA. Cities are also different than rural areas and there is a LOT of rural area in California.

It is a big State...bigger than many European countries. Do you really think you have seen it all and know everything about it? There are MANY pristine areas in California. Ever heard of Big Sur, Lake Tahoe, Yosemite etc?

I lived in a very beautiful and isolated area where there was NO pollution and no smoke. There are whole cities that are smoke free zones, beaches and parks that are smoke free. Does not mean it is perfect, but areas of very pure air.

I am not for all the crazy cars in LA or the endless and harmful diesel fumes in Europe. I thought this was about second hand smoke and how it harms and kills?

That is a whole different topic and it is funny, no one can argue how wonderful smoking is for you and everyone, so they start bringing all kinds of odd things into this.

We ran into some world travelers who have spent years in Europe, Asia, Australia, New Zealand and all of South America. They said, &quot;you know, when you come from California it is hard to be impressed.&quot;

We have found that true and very few places equal the pristine beauty found in California.

cherrybomb, I'm confused by your post.

I agree that overeating and obesity are health issues, but can you explain how &quot;What if I complained about how looking at a country of fat people about to get diabetes or be stricken with heart disease because of the crap they ate, ruined my vacation?&quot; relates to being FORCED to breathe second hand smoke and endangering the health of the OBSERVER? People aren't complaining because the SIGHT of people smoking bothers them -- they are complaining because that smoke can kill THEM as well as the person smoking. Big difference.