Smoking in Europe-health issues

Since 2008, I have not seen smoking in any restaurant in Germany. All German Rail trains are also non-smoking. I haven't spent much time in Austria, but I did not see anyone smoking there, either. I don't think the no smoking law extends to accommodations, but many places now specify non-smoking rooms and, at least, request that you go outside to smoke. Can't speak for the UK.

In Germany, smoking in restaurants mainly occurs in the outside areas, because technically, you aren't supposed to smoke in a restaurant unless they have a completely closed off room from the rest of the place. This doesn't happen too often, due to space constraints. Different states in Germany have different laws concerning smoking in smaller bars. In the state of Hessen for example, small bars can choose to be smoking bars or not, but they have a sign on the door letting you know. For hotels, I think I would book at hotels that don't allow smoking at all, other wise you may end up in a room that reeks of smoke. At the train stations, some of them have areas where smoking is allowed, and frankly it is a pain to have walk past these areas just to get to your train. People also gather in front of places of business to smoke, and one walks through a gauntlet of smoke to enter.

No smoking in enclosed public places in England since July 2007. Hotels may continue to offer bedrooms allowing smoking however. Smoking is not permitted at all within railways stations including open air platforms. There are similar bans in operation in the rest of the UK, which makes it more smoke free than the USA taken as a whole.

It depends how sensitive your husband is to smoke, and specifically, where you are going in these countries. I live in the state of Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany, where smoking laws are relatively lax. MOST restaurants are smoke-free on the inside, but there are exceptions, such as the closed off room Jo mentioned, and in some cases, I have been to restaurants that just allow smoking inside, period. You're more likely to get that at tucked away "neighborhood" places that it's unlikely a tourist will find themselves in, however. In my hood, sitting outside isn't allowed after 11pm, so the restaurants will let smokers do so inside after that point. Smoking is allowed in some bars, you'll see a sign indicating if that is the case. "Rauchen" means "Smoking". Many but not all bars in Berlin allow smoking, but I haven't been to a restaurant that does. Bavaria, or at least Munich, has more restrictive policies, with no smoking in bars whatsoever, and certainly never in restaurants. If you opt to sit outside, however, you will be surrounded by smokers. Germany and Austria have the highest smoking rates in Western Europe. Smoking is also allowed in areas in train stations, you can stand away from those areas but they are rarely enclosed. I've been to at least one restaurant in Vienna that allowed smoking in one section of the restaurant, with nothing to block the smoke from the non-smoking side. But I've also been to restaurants that didn't allow smoking at all. If you go to a restaurant and bar and see ashtrays inside, just move on to another one.

I remember smoking in Salzburg Austria bars. But other than in Belgium (and not in every city) I don't recall ever coming across many indoor smokers.

Finding smoke-filled places for typical tourist haunts is very rare now in most of Europe. In over 100 nights of hotels in 2009, I only encountered one that reeked of smoke. It seemed to me also that almost no hotels allow smoking in rooms anymore, but I wasn't specifically paying attention. You'd be hard pressed to find smoking inside any restaurant you would be visiting. Bars or pubs maybe, but you'll know right away and can turn around and look for another place. Outside cafes and seating areas may have smokers.

Douglas, I wouldn't say that indoor restaurant smoking is that rare. It just depends on where you are. I last found it at a classy wine bar/restaurant in Vienna right next to the Hofburg. No enclosed room, no separation. As a smoker myself, I'm pretty attuned to those things. Come to think of it, we ended up at another more old style wine bar and restaurant that also allowed smoking indoors, also in the historic first district in Vienna. There are definitely hotels in Germany and Austria that allow smoking inside, although it's getting harder and harder to find. But requesting and getting a smoke-free room shouldn't be a problem at all.

Hi Lisa, I am very sensitive to cigar and cigarette smoke. Since it has been impossible to avoid smokers altogether,and besides, smoke always seems to drift over to where I sit or dine, I bought a small battery operated fan from Magellan's and take it everywhere when I travel outside the U.S. I even bought a 2nd one as a back up. I hope this might work for your husband. Have a great trip!

This is really an amazing thread. As recently at ten years ago the story would have been completely different, with very limited non-smoking areas. I'll always remember going to a business meeting and all the young people laughing at the concept of working out in a health club as they puffed away on their cigarettes. ; ) Pam

Smoking isn't a problem in England at all. You will love England. We have spent about six weeks there, during the past four years. My husband and I are extremely sensitive to any smoke. Smoking is not allowed indoors. The smoking was terrible in Switzerland, two years ago. You aren't going there, so that doesn't pertain to you. We were told in Switzerland though, that the Germans in Switzerland voted to allow smoking indoors. The people smoke indoors everywhere. The smoke in the train stations was terrible. They even hold their babies while they smoke in restaurants.. According to this site, smoking isn't allowed in Germany as much any more. I'm surprised at that coment though. Germans are strong believers in smoking.

Lisa, I've found lately that in Germany and the U.K., smoking inside restaurants is somewhat uncommon (but does occur occasionally). You're more likely to find smokers sitting outside on the patio, which is why I tend to sit inside much of the time. Last time I was in Austria a couple of years ago, smoking inside restaurants was very common. I learned that "the hard way" on my first night in Salzburg. I had just finished a great dinner and was looking forward to some dessert, when a group came in and all promptly lit cigarettes. Within a few minutes, the air was thick with smoke. It literally drove me out the door. I asked the Hotel owner about smoking laws, and his opinion at the the time was that "the authorities will have a very hard time enforcing smoking laws here". I haven't been back to Austria since then, so not sure if anything has changed. I should add that I had no problems with smoke when I was in Hallstatt. You'll probably have to adjust your seating based on the situations you encounter in each place. Good luck and happy travels!

Smoking anywhere inside an enclosed area of a restaurant is illegal in all parts of the UK. That doesn't mean of course you won't find someone who does it, but he/she is committing an offence, and the restaurant owner is too if he/she doesn't attempt to stop it.

On our last vacation we found ourselves to be the only people eating inside most restaurants. Everyone was enjoying the great weather and views, but not us. We can not deal with smoke so we were inside, which was perfect for us. The restaurant staff always seemed surprised by our choice to be in, but it made for a pleasant meal.

Gee Elaine, considering you haven't been in Germany and are only going from hear-say from someone in Switzerland 2 years ago, your statements are pretty bold: We were told in Switzerland though, that the Germans in Switzerland voted to allow smoking indoors. The people smoke indoors everywhere. The smoke in the train stations was terrible. They even hold their babies while they smoke in restaurants.. According to this site, smoking isn't allowed in Germany as much any more. I'm surprised at that coment though. Germans are strong believers in smoking. 1.) If voting is secret, how can they know how the Germans in Switzerland voted, and secondly if they are Germans, how can they vote there? 2.) I have seen people holding their babies and smoking in just about every country I have been in, including the US. It isn't a border specific activity. 3.) Why are you surprised at a comment made by someone who actually lives here and knows not only what the laws are, as they relate to smoking, but also what the real situation is like? 4. Stating that "Germans are strong believers in smoking" is one of the most bizarre statements I have read on this helpline. At least 75% of the population of Germany are non-smokers, so how does that fit that they are strong believers in smoking? http://www.dkfz.de/en/presse/pressemitteilungen/2012/dkfz-pm-12-36-Smoke-free-restaurants-and-bars-in-Germany-2012.php

"If voting is secret, how can they know how the Germans in Switzerland voted, and secondly if they are Germans, how can they vote there?" Perhaps Elaine was referring to cantons where the only official language is German (17 of 26). "At least 75% of the population of Germany are non-smokers"... Per the World Health Organization 2008 survey for Germany reveals 36% of men and 22% of women smoke.

This is 2012. Many anti-smoking laws went into effect in 2008, so one would expect a lot of change in 4 years.

"... Perhaps Elaine was referring to cantons where the only official language is German ..." Californians speak (mostly) English, but you don't call them 'the English' (nor 'the Spanish').

I was gonna say, if you tell a "German"-speaking Swiss (their German is very different from high German, nearly unintelligable to many German speakers in Germany) that they're German, they'd get kind of pissed. Just to update this, apparently Bavaria voted to reintroduce smoking to some bars. I can't say I'm surprised.