Where are smokers welcome?
Depending on the country, between 25% and 35% of the population are smokers. And this part of the population has probably also experienced the phenomenon of having strangely familiar holiday conversations with complete strangers over a cigarette. Probably one of the things that makes this familiarity possible is the sense of connection that comes from the fact that smokers are not welcome everywhere today.
All over the world, smoking bans and the penalties associated with them are getting stricter and stricter.
But we don't even have to refer exclusively to the legal situation... it is enough to violate the cultural customs of the place where we enjoy our holidays to get into an unpleasant situation.
Is it true that in France you can't smoke in public parks?
In Paris, for example, smoking has been banned in a total of six public parks for several years. This total smoking ban was an extension of the law that previously only applied to children's playgrounds. The days of coffee and cigarettes as the official breakfast on the way to work are long gone (at least if you have to cross a park on your way to work).
In Strasbourg, smoking is also banned in all parks and gardens, and more and more French cities and regions are joining in. But France is not alone in this ban. Similar rules exist in Finland, Iceland and the UK.
Is Greece still the most smoking-friendly destination in Europe?
Well, it seems that a general rule of thumb can be established: the further south we travel in Europe, the more relaxed the treatment of smokers+*. In some of the top resorts on the Mediterranean, they still bring an ashtray to the table.
On the one hand, the bastions of tourism make sure that all guests feel comfortable, on the other hand, the southern countries themselves have the highest smoking rates in Europe. The world leader is Greece with a good 50% smoking rate. Here (despite the smoking ban) smoking is still allowed in bars. Greece is also the second largest tobacco producer in Europe. In practice, only in public transport and in hospitals is there any real compliance with the current regulations.
Is Spain the other extrem of Southern Europe?
Also in the south, but at the other end, is Spain. As the most popular holiday destination for many Europeans, Spain has one of the strictest non-smoking laws in Europe. In Spain, smoking is banned in all hospitals, playgrounds, schools, pubs, restaurants, discos and most public places. Smoking areas in restaurants and airports are also prohibited. Those who violate the "No Smoking" sign risk a drastic fine of up to - and this is not a typo - 600,000 EUR.
Are there the same bans on the Balearic Islands? What about Mallorca?
The government of the Balearic Islands has banned smoking in cars when transporting children. There are also plans to tighten controls on the current smoking ban. The smoking ban on Mallorca applies to restaurateurs who tolerate smoking in enclosed areas, including enclosed patio areas. In addition, smoking is prohibited in areas adjacent to public buildings such as schools and hospitals.
Violators of these bans face fines of up to €24,000.
Smokers who throw cigarette butts on the ground also face harsh penalties. It is strictly forbidden to throw cigarette butts into wooded areas or on the side of the road or on the beach itself. Anyone caught disposing of their cigarette butt in one of these places will have to pay a fine of 50 to 200 euros. This also applies to other littering, such as spitting out chewing gum.
What is the situation in Italy?
In Italy, you cannot buy cigarettes in supermarkets. Although there are attempts in Italy to stop smoking, there are still "zone per fumatori" (smoking zones) in public places. The smoking ban in Italy applies in all buildings open to the public, in restaurants and in offices. In addition, tobacco products cannot be sold in supermarkets, so in Italy you have to buy them in tobacco shops called "tabacchi".
In some cities, such as Naples and Bolzano, smoking is also prohibited in large places of assembly, such as stadiums and theatres, even if they are outdoors. In many coastal regions, smoking is also prohibited on the beach. The small state of San Marino, near Rimini, has introduced a total ban on smoking for car drivers; in the rest of Italy it is only forbidden if minors are in the car.
Can you at least smoke in Asia? What freedoms are there in Thailand?
Let's leave Europe and look at Thailand: Here smoking is generally allowed, because smoking is not frowned upon, but littering the environment with cigarette butts is. Anyone who throws cigarettes or cigarette butts on the street has to pay a fine of about 2,000 baht (about 50 euros).
Smoking has also been banned in all public buildings, train stations and bus stops for several years. Smoking is also strictly prohibited in restaurants, parks, schools, markets, popular beaches and temples. So far, however, the laws have not been established. In practice, many of the existing smoking bans are also ignored by locals. However, in other places, such as some beaches, smoking bans are obeyed by the local population, for example to avoid polluting the landscape. The best rule for your holiday: only smoke where the locals do.
And what about the freedom to smoke in the "land of the free"?
If you are travelling to the USA, you should know that it has a "smoking ban", which is a nationwide ban on smoking in public places, restaurants and bars. In some hotels you have to sign that you are not allowed to smoke in the room and confirm that otherwise the cleaning costs can be much higher. Secondly, the ban on smoking in public usually applies not only in the relevant buildings, but also within a radius of a few metres around them. For example, smoking is prohibited in front of the airport entrance.
In addition to the "Smoking Ban", there are also anti-smoking laws in the USA that are determined by the individual states. This requires some adaptability on a round trip across the United States. In California, for example, smoking is prohibited on all beaches, in parks, as well as at ATMs, bus stops, etc. Everywhere where other people are waiting. In Beverly Hills, you can't even smoke outside in restaurants.
States like Nevada and Utah, on the other hand, are more lax. Here, people even smoke in closed casinos. Smoking is also allowed in some restaurants, but only when food is not being served. In Florida, smoking is also allowed in sports bars without kitchens. Florida also has smoking areas in public places.
Fines for smoking in public are around $100, depending on the state. On a second offence, the fine doubles to a maximum of $500, followed by jail time if a second offence is repeated. In the United States, by the way, smoking in a car is also punishable if children are on board.
Is China's anti-smoking law the strictest in the world?
In China, not only is cigarette smoking banned in restaurants, bars, cinemas, transport, sports facilities, museums, offices and other public buildings, but there is also an elaborate system to enforce the smoking ban. First of all, there is the catalogue of fines: The smokers pay 30 EUR, the company 1,500 EUR... but that's not all. The police are not the only ones enforcing the ban, there are also more than a thousand voluntary supervisors with red armbands.
Isn't that enough? Well, after three violations of the smoking ban, the person in question is publicly denounced at their place of residence and on the authorities' website. There is also an official page where eager citizens can report and denounce illegal smokers via mobile phone photos.
What is your opinion on this? Are you for or against such a ban and extreme surveillance as it is the case in China? Feel free to leave us a comment! We look forward to your input!
No matter where you are planning your holiday this summer. We will make sure that you can produce your own cigarettes with the highest quality. You'll find a fantastic selection of electric cigarette injectors at Powerfiller Smoking. Here you'll find automatic cigarette injection machines adapted to your personal needs.
See you next week!
Your Powerfiller-Smoking-Team