Swiss trains are now smoke-free
 

As of December 11, all Swiss trains no longer allow smoking. Good news for non-smokers.

Thanks, schuler, for that bit of news. I am a non-smoker, so this is indeed good news.

In my city of Austin, Texas, a non-smoking ordinance was recently passed into law as well. This includes all the bars and nightclubs on our famous 6th Street. It was a surprise to have it pass as Texans are long known for their independent spirit, a "just leave me alone" attitude.

Just out of my own curiosity, how did it come to pass in Switzerland?

As far as I know, the SBB got tired of renovating their smoking compartments. I think this is supposed to save on renovating costs...and it's keeping up with the times.

There was never a national vote on it...Thank God!

I'm still waiting and longing for smoke-free restaurants. I had to sit next to two tables puffing away last week while eating my dinner. The smokers didn't bat an eye or put out a cigarette while I was eating. Now how is that for rude!

I know from personal experience that the smoking cars are vile pits. They are so bad that even some smokers sit in the non smoking sections and go to the smoking section for a fix.

I walked through a smoking car once on my way to the snack car and, coming back, I held my breath and literally ran through the haze. As soon as I sat down in my seat, my wife made a wry face and said, "That bad, huh?"

Eventually, everybody stops smoking.

It's not only the cigarette smoke. Joints were being lit up too. It may make your head high but the stuff stinks twice as bad as cigarette smoke.