Smokers everywhere?

Depending on where you're going, Europe has been very actively becoming smoke-free. In many places, you can't smoke in restaurants and bars, public transit, public buildings, etc.

Compared to China (where my parents come from), it definitely isn't.

Europe is vastly improved from 15/20 years ago. You are going to encounter some but I don't think it will be significant. We were in Italy and Switzerland this past year and remember encountering it all.

I'm the same way about smoke. I love it that in Italy, you can't smoke in public places. I was in Germany and Austria in November, and they smoke a lot there. If I'm remembering correctly, I think just this past April, smoking was banned in Germany in public places, but please do look this up because I could be remembering wrong. Maybe someone here is 100% sure of this. But for sure, no problem in Italy. I was there in 2005, and no smoking. I'm going back to Italy in a few weeks.

This is something I read on line...

Italy bans smoking in public places

An official ban on smoking in all enclosed public places has come into force in Italy on 10 January 2005. It aims to protect against passive smoking and deter those who pursue a habit that is calculated to kill 90,000 Italians a year.

The new law obliges restaurants, bars, offices and factories to prohibit tobacco use on their premises unless they are able to provide special sealed off rooms with smoke extractors. In reality, not many retailers will be able to fulfill this condition, making it practically impossible to smoke in any public places.

A fine of up to 2,000 euros may be levied on businesses which fail to comply with this law. Smokers themselves may be fined up to 275 euros. The fine can double if a smoker lights up in front of children or pregnant women.

Italy is the third European country, after Ireland and Norway, to bring in a smoking ban. The British government has revealed plans to follow suit. A recent White Paper on public health calls for a smoke-free environment in workplaces and establishments that serve food by 2009 across England.

Markos Kyprianou, EU’s new Public Health Commissioner, called for an EU-wide ban on smoking during his hearing in the European Parliament on 8 October 2004.
Last modified on April 25 2007.

From this Rick Steves site, here is something about smoking in France...
No Smoking, s'il vous plaît

Feb 1 — France's smoking ban went into effect today, making it illegal to smoke in railway stations, airports, shops, offices, hospitals, and schools. Smokers who defy the ban face a fine of €68, with businesses who allow smoking liable for a €135 fine. The same ban will be extended to restaurants and bars in December of this year. France joins Britain, Italy, Ireland, and Sweden among European nations that have banned smoking in public.

I just returned from Italy/France/Austria/Germany last week and I was disgusted about the amount of people that smoke. Even worse was cigars, they were everywhere and the smell turns my stomach! I have asthma, and cigarette smoke really mucks with me. I found it hard trying to find a restaurant for dinner, cause lots have smoking allowed indoors, even when we sat outside in the cold there's smokers out there too. Walking through alleyways and cities (paris, frankfurt) I sometimes held my breath or ducked into shops for a break from the smoke. It does make it a bit miserable when you're trying to enjoy yourself!

Having said that, even though there was so many smokers everywhere, I didnt have any problems with my asthma. I was prepared, I took ventolin before I went to paris cause i know my asthma can play up instantly. Don't let it worry you, take medication with you just incase, and you'll have a great time.

Hi Lillie,

We just got back from Germany, Austria and Italy. We are non-smokers and hate smelling the stuff. We had no problems what-so-ever! We just chose to eat indoors instead of outside where smoking is allowed. Smoking outdoors wasn't much worse than here in the US. Yes, it does seem everyone smokes, even teenagers, but no problem for us, thankfully!

We were in France in the spring and didn't have problems with smokers. If there were too many smokers outside, we ate inside. Didn't notice people smoking in any public places. It's surprising to me that they are so concerned about recycling and the environment, but continue with the smoking. But, it is an addiction after all.

Yes, everyone, there are still many, many people in Europe and the rest of the world who smoke, among them some of my nearest and dearest. But things have improved so much in the last 10 years with regard to non-smoking venues that I hardly think there is much cause to complain. Who, even 5 years ago, would have believed that the French would comply with barely a whimper to no smoking regulations in cafés and restaurants? And the Italians, too? Incredible ! And yet there are still those who whine because someone two balconies over on a cruise ship is enjoying a cigarette. I don't smoke, in case it is thought I do, but I take a laissez-faire attitude to those who do. Remember the Soup Nazi on the Seinfeld TV show?

wow Claire, I spent most of July in Europe , mostly France and Italy with a pop into Germany , Austria and Switzerland. I did not notice it to be that bad at all. In fact , in the 12 days we spent in Paris we only saw/smelt smokers outside. We never saw anyone smoking inside anywhere.

It's true that there is more smoking generally in Europe than in the US. But Western Europe is becoming more and more smoke-free in public. Central and Eastern Europe are a different story--you'll confront more smoking the further east you go. (Smokers, try Moldova if you want to be with other smokers constantly!

I didn't find Italy to be too bad. Certainly there is no smoking inside restaurants, hotels, etc.

I did notice more cigar smokers though, and one guy with a particularly potent cigar at the Florence train station made me feel very ill. It may help to take a hankerchief or scarf to cover your face with.

So far, I didn't find it that bad either. No problem in Rome, but they sure smoke a lot outside when they are walking around. The very worst smoke happens to be in one of my very favorite places in Europe, Salzburg! I would walk into a charming coffee shop, but right when I open the door, I would really choke from the smoke, and I would have to walk right out the door again. This was November 2006. But, I did find a few non smoking places in Salzburg and some with non smoking areas that were pretty good. But Salzburg is such a charming town, nothing can keep me away from there!

Hi Lillie - We just returned from a week in Paris - where there are ALOT of smokers. I thought I was prepared for it - but was still amazed at how many smokers there were. Tourists and locals both. I to am quite bothered by cigarette smoke - but really had no problems. There was no smoking inside the restaurants and even the ones smoking outside seemed to be considerate of those around who did not smoke. I don't think you will have a problem. Just enjoy being in Europe!

here here, Norma... I am a smoker :::gasp!::: and I do not support smoking in public places but for goodness sake if I'm outside and out of your way, I'm not going to blow smoke in your child's face! I always liked going to Europe because I find that Europeans are very respectful about what an individual chooses to partake in...haha, and I don't get the pathetic ::coughs:: when a non-smoker walks by me sitting at an outside table enjoying a cigarette. Very different attitudes in Europe.

I don't think you have much to worry about smoking-wise. If there is smoking indoors and it truly bothers you, then go elsewhere. One must have respect for other countries culture. This isn't America. Best to you in your travels. (I really don't think it is as bad as it may seem...just get there and have fun!)

We've been back for a week now. Our travels took us to Austria, Italy, and Ireland. I'm allergic to smoke, and didn't have many troubles in Italy or Ireland (except for outdoor dining and train stations). In Austria, however, smoke was everywhere, including hotel lobbies. I lost a lot of weight because the smoke made me very ill, plus we couldn't find anywhere smoke-free to eat (it was too cold/wet to eat outside). We ended up in McDonald's and in grocery stores. I loved the scenery and sights of Austria, but will not return until there is a smoking ban of some sort. I had previously been to England and France before their bans, and thought I could handle Austria. No such luck. Some folks would take a big huff, get onto the tram/bus, and exhale inside....

DW, my experience with smokers has been much the same as you mentioned. The only "problems" I've had so far were in Austria. I wasn't aware of the situation before travelling there, and had to leave restaurants on more than one occasion due to people smoking close to me. I soon learned to seek out establishments that had sidewalk tables (wasn't too cold in May), and managed to find a few (including an Italian restaurant in Salzburg) that didn't allow smoking at all.

As I recall, Ireland was the first to implement smoking bans, followed by other EU countries. Italy seems to have fairly tough laws, as I watched a tourist being not-so-gently ejected from a Bar in Rome after lighting up (ironically, he wasn't too observant as he started smoking directly under a "No Smoking" sign). The staff reprimanded him very loudly, and pointed out that they could face severe fines.

Generally speaking, I didn't have any problems with smoking in France, even though I was last there prior to the smoking ban (Fall 2006). The "key" was to sit at sidewalk tables and make sure I was upwind of smokers.

I had a few conversations with Hotel & Restaurant owners when I was in Austria, and they felt non-smoking regulations will probably be implemented soon. However, they felt these regulations will likely have to be a "compromise" as smokers there will NOT tolerate a complete ban. I suspect there's been some been pressure from the EU on this issue, so I think regulations are inevitable.

While I can sympathize with the "rights" of smokers, the smoke is a problem for me - I get a severe headache and feel "unwell" when I'm exposed to it. Consequently, this has become one factor I consider when I'm choosing holiday spots, restaurants to patronize, etc. I may be heading for eastern Europe next, so will probably be spending a lot of time outdoors when dining!

It was my impression that a year ago Germany started a nationwide ban (by states) of smoking in public places. I was there a few month earlier (Oct '07) and I never saw anyone smoking in a restaurant. Then I heard that the German supreme court had struck down Baden-Württemberg's law as discriminating against small establishment that couldn't have separate smoking and non-smoking areas.

I'll see next month when I am in Germany and report back.

I know that private Gastgebers in Germany have already banned smoking in their establishments. In the little pension I like to go to in the Bavarian Alps, the owner does not allow smoking in the rooms (you can on the balcony outside your room) and smoking is not allow in the dining room.

Far less in London than in Japanese cities like Tokyo or Osaka. We spent 10 days in London and I don't remember ever getting into a cloud of smoke anywhere. All the pubs are smoke free and still full of people enjoying themselves. It was really nice.

Just an observation: My father was a reformed smoker which I believe is the worst kind of non-smoker. It must be terrible though to be allergic to ciggarette smoke. I am a non-smoker.

I was just spent 2 days in Charlotte, NC this weekend for a NASCAR race and have been to europe many times - trust me you will have less problems with smoking in Europe than I had in the 'good-old-U.S. of A.' this last weekend.

You'll be okay. Just wacth out like you would here at home.

have fun!

While in Germany some younger men I was working with asked my permission to smoke. I told them I didn't smoke but wouldn't tell them not to. One of the men replied, "You're a non-smoker but not a militant non-smoker."

I'm surprised we haven't had a string about taking up smoking for your trip so you don't look like a tourist.

I tend to find humor in everything. I especially enjoy the healthier than thou vegan who smokes, does drugs and has piercings and tatoos. Unfortunately, I have to do my laughing on the inside because too often the person also lacks the ability to laugh at themselves.

While smoking is much more common in Europe than in the US, you haven't seen smoking until you have been to Asia.