non-smoking sections
 

Are any non-smoking sections in restaurants in Europe or Asia? Has anyone got any recommendations?

I'm not sure I totally understand your question. Are you asking if any restaurants in the Europe or Asia have non-smoking sections?

In my experience in Europe, they are few and far between, and usually "token" in that while you may not have someone right next to you lighting up, you may very well have people smoking quite nearby. I do think the situation is slowly changing.

I don't think I've ever seen a non-smoking section in a restaurant in Asia, but that doesn't mean they don't exist. Good luck!

For example, I was recently in London. At the restaurant, Bunch of Grapes Pub, on Brompton Street (down the street from Harrod's) the upstairs was non-smoking. I am trying to compile a list of places, anywhere on the planet other than the U.S., that have non-smoking sections.

Marilyn, Attitudes about smoking our changing in Europe albeit not at the pace of the U.S. I read an article on BMI airlines about Tony Blair's concern about how much people in the U.K. and how much it is costing the economy. There are also many anitsmoking organizations in Europe. The seeds have been planted.

From a recent trip I noticed that more restaurants than not had no smoking sections. But, as the poster above mentioned, they are token and you may have a voracious smoker at the table next to you. Kind of like in the U.S., about 10 year ago. It was still very unappetizing. Try Europe in about a decade for some real relief.

Rocco, I can't believe you said it was smoking in Europe is like the U.S. ten years ago. That is exactly what I told someone I know who is totally an anitsmoker and she smoked for over 30 years. I might have to wait a decade before going overseas. I find the smoking unacceptable and intolerable. Luckily, there are many sights in the U.S. I haven't seen.

I am also very sensitive to smoke. Had lots of trouble in Paris, but not in Vienna, Salzburg or Venice. The Chow! Venice restaraunt guide for Venice details the smoking situation at each place...apparently public places in Italy (or maybe just Venice??) have new non-smoking area rules going into effect in 2004. I certainly don't think you need to avoid Europe just because of the smoke...just be creative and willing to look for places with true non-smoking rooms. Everyone told us "oh, you'll just be in rooms with other Americans"...not true. We ate only at places that had separate non-smoking rooms, and they seemed to be filled only with locals.

Anne

http://www.smokefreeworld.com/

This website lists smokefree dining, entertainment and travel worldwide along with user reviews.

cynthia, I've been traveling to Europe for about 30 years, and believe me the situation has changed a lot. As you said, the seeds have been planted. I do not think concern about smoke filled restaurants is a reason not to go to Europe.

Perhaps you might start with England, where you can certainly find health food or vegetarian restaurants in most major cities. These places are likely to be non-smoking, or at least have non-smoking sections. Just stay out of the pubs!

Here is one post for you


Le Florimond restaurant in Paris - nonsmoking as of October 6th

Author: Wildflower
Date: 11/05/2003, 08:36 am
Message: Just returned last night from our wonderful trip to Dordogne and Paris and would like to share this great news with those who are always looking for non-smoking restaurants in Paris. Like always we had there a great meal.
Are there any more non-smoking restaurants in Paris? We would like find out about them before our next trip in May.



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Author: JonJon
Date: 11/05/2003, 08:45 am
Message: Does this mean that smoking will not be allowed..at all...in this restaurant or have they established a non-smoking section? I often find the latter in Europe to be woefully ineffective.



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Author: Wildflower
Date: 11/05/2003, 09:23 am
Message:
JonJon
Le Florimond is a very small restaurants and a whole place is non-smoking. There is not any section or even one table that has been designated to smokers. This place is for NON-Smokers only

Smoke in restaurants is my least favourite aspect of being in Europe. When in London recently I was pleasantly surprised to not be smoked out once in the whole visit. I distincly remember being surpised to be asked smoking or non at a busy restaurant. And the non was really not smokey.

How about dining in Le Florimond in Paris since it is a non-smoking restaurants and food is excellent.

AnnO Thanks for the non-smoking info on Vienna, Salzburg and Venice. I will put them on the top of list to go after my trip to Beijing.

mvor www.smokefree.com is exactly what I am looking for. Thanks.

I want to thank everyone who gave advice and names of resturants. They are noted and filed. When anyone goes anywhere and comes a restaurnat/bar that has a non-smoking section, feel free to e-mail me.

Here are the restaurants with non-smoking sections that I have come across.
London - Yo! Sushi is total nonsmoking. I got the tip from Rick Steves.

London - Bunch of Grapes Pub has a second floor that is nonsmoking but opens at 5:00 p.m. It is on Brompton Street down the block from Harrods.

Paris - Leon de bruxlles (spelling), a cafe is a popular chain and has large nonsmoking sections and English menus.

Paris - Bofinger, a brasserie is near the opera and has a nonsmoking room, English menus and very good food.

From my experience, there are many restaurants in Europe with non-smoking areas. However, you will very possibly encounter some smoke wafting through the restaurant into your area.

Just back from Italy (Rome, Florence, Lucca). This trip we were delighted to find so little smoking in restaurants. Either there was no smoking allowed (some restaurants didn't even have ash trays) or people just weren't smoking.
In a couple of restaurants, there were separate rooms for smokers and non-smokers - the non-smokers' rooms were full and the smokers' rooms almost empty.

On our recent trip to Italy we noticed that in most restaurants the majority of people refrained from smoking, even if it was permitted.