BS: Smokers in Europe?

Subject: RE: BS: Smokers in Europe?
From: Deda
Date: 15 Dec 02 - 02:57 PM

I was in Italy and France two years ago and in Israel four years ago. The smoking was worse in Israel, but still a lot more prevalent in France and Italy than in the US. When I look back on it I remember having trouble with it in Israel but not in Italy & France -- but that is no guarantee of anything -- just my impression.

Subject: RE: BS: Smokers in Europe?
From: alanabit
Date: 15 Dec 02 - 02:20 PM

They are not health Nazis, Michael. What are often referred to as "smoker's rights" are often the "rights" to spit carcogenic fumes into other people's faces, noses and mouths. I have had a chronic sinus problem for years, and being forced to smoke can cause me coughing and headaches. If I go to a pub, I accept that as part of the deal. On the other hand, if I am using public transport, I resent having to inhale. Smoking has absolutely nothing to commend it from a health - or financial point of view. It is a heavily advertised form of drug addiction which makes huge profits for well protected and ruthless companies. My problem is not with people's choice to smoke - you should be free to pick your own drugs whatever other people's opinions are. The problem is that people who wish to be non smokers are often forced to smoke passively. The pendulum has swung against that assumption - and it's alright by me.
Getting back to Naemason's question, I believe that France and Italy have both introduced laws which introduce smoke free zones and nowadays public transport in Germany is mainly smoke free.

Subject: RE: BS: Smokers in Europe?
From: michaelr
Date: 15 Dec 02 - 02:07 PM

When I was in England in the 70s, people were smoking in movie theaters, for Pete's sake!

I don't know if that's still going on, but on the whole, brace yourself: smoking in Europe does not yet carry the stigma the healthier-than-thou-and-we'll-legislate-it-down-your-throat crowd has managed to impose stateside.

Fight the Health Nazis!

Cheers,
Michael

Subject: RE: BS: Smokers in Europe?
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 15 Dec 02 - 01:57 PM

"Will I be able to find places where I can breath relatively clean air?"

On this planet?

Not for the last hundred years or so...

Subject: RE: BS: Smokers in Europe?
From: bernil
Date: 15 Dec 02 - 11:17 AM

Here in Sweden soon most (at least many) places where you eat and all other public places are smoke-free. As for pubs and such places I think people may still smoke there but there may be smokefree corners, I don't know. As I never travel I don't know about other European countries but I've heard that there are countries where people may smoke even in buses! It's just horrible! I wonder if Italy isn't one of the worst countries? I hope someone else can tell you more as you don't seem to concider moving to Sweden! But why not? ;-)
Berit

Subject: RE: BS: Smokers in Europe?
From: sed
Date: 15 Dec 02 - 09:30 AM

That's a great question. Who can add some more recent info?

Subject: BS: Smokers in Europe?
From: Naemanson
Date: 15 Dec 02 - 08:32 AM

Yesterday I applied for three jobs in Europe, two in Germany and one in Italy. This is something I have planned to do for a long time. My original goal was Italy but I really just want to try living in Europe for a while.

I have been doing a lot of researh on life in Italy but there is one thing that doesn't get any press at all and that is the prevalence of smokers in Europe. Here in the US we have different levels of anti smoking campaigns. Here in Maine there is no smoking allowed in restaurants or at any place the public gathers except for bars. Just across the border in New Hampshire the regulations are not quite so restrictive.

I have not been to Europe since 1974 and then it was a brief visit on a Navy ship. I don't remember smokers but then I was surrounded by smokers all the time, even in the US.

So what's the environment like over there now? Will I spend every evening wreathed in smoke and come home reeking of tobacco smoke? Will I be able to find places where I can breath relatively clean air?