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To smoke
- This article is a topic.
To smoke in public is an occupation that is now more and more strictly controlled. Today, smoking is usually prohibited on public transport, but also in more and more other public places where you come as a tourist. For some it's a reason to go there, for others it could be a reason to change travel plans.
Border Patrol
Tobacco
Many countries have imposed restrictions on the amount of tobacco products you can import. This is to protect your own tax revenue. On the other hand, many countries do offer the possibility to buy various tobacco products tax-free upon departure.
Other smoking products
People who smoke products other than tobacco should be aware that cannabis and other recreational substances are banned in most countries. Some countries have extremely severe penalties for possessing even a small amount of it. Know the local laws, but never take such items with you on your trip.
National smoking regulations
The following countries and regions have non-smoking areas, although the list is probably not exhaustive. This list is intended for countries that go further than the now accepted no-smoking policy in public transport, hospitals and government buildings.
- Australia: Rules vary by state, but generally no smoking in public areas (airports, train stations, schools, universities, government offices). Restaurants (and bars in some states) are smoke-free. Public transport (including taxis) is smoke-free, as are many outdoor sports arenas.
- Bangladesh: No smoking in public buildings, an offense punishable by a fine.
- Belgium: From 2007 restaurants and from 2011 also cafes are completely smoke-free.
- Bhutan: First completely smoke-free country. Selling tobacco products is a criminal offence.
- Canada: Smoking indoors in public areas is prohibited in Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nunavut, and the Northwest Territories. Smoking is permitted in designated and ventilated areas in British Columbia, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island. Many cities have additional laws to restrict smoking, even if there is no provincial law against it (particularly the cities of Edmonton and Calgary, Alberta).
- Denmark New law to restrict smoking in bars and restaurants came into effect in the spring of 2007. Restaurants and bars may, under certain conditions, create separate areas where smoking is allowed.
- Germany As of January 1, 2008, bars, cafes & restaurants will also be smoke-free in many states.
- Egypt Although nearly half of Egyptian men smoke (women rarely), most restaurants and bars are smoke-free. Sometimes (usually with a tip) the waiter leads you to a quiet corner where you can light a cigarette. But the cigarette should be out of sight as much as possible. During Ramadan, smoking is not allowed in public. Hookahs are allowed (they are not covered by the tobacco law).
- Philippines: Smoking prohibited in airports, shopping malls, government buildings, train stations.
- Finland: Indoor smoking in public areas is prohibited. Restaurants and bars may, under certain conditions, create separate areas where smoking is allowed.
- France As of January 1, 2008, bars, cafes & restaurants will also be smoke-free.
- Greece: People are working to restrict smoking in public places. But the Greeks, as usual, don't care about this.
- Ireland: Restaurants and bars are non-smoking. Terraces have since been expanded where possible to accommodate smokers. Hotels have smoking rooms, it is wise, if you are a smoker, to ask for this when booking.
- Italy: Restaurants and bars are non-smoking, as are most hotels.
- Japan: Separate smoking areas available in all official public buildings and stations.
- Kenya: Smoking is only allowed outside.
- Macau: Smoking still allowed practically everywhere.
- Malaysia: Indoor smoking prohibited in all (public) buildings except bars.
- Netherlands: As of 1-7-2008 there is a general smoking ban in all catering establishments, smoking areas are allowed provided they serve no other purpose!. A general smoking ban has already been in place at Schiphol Airport as of 1-1-2008, Schiphol does have smoking areas.
- New Zealand: Restaurants and bars are non-smoking, although smoking allowed are allowed on terraces. Anyone can designate their building as smoke-free, so assume that smoking is not allowed in public. Sometimes it is not even allowed outside.
- Norway: Restaurants and bars are non-smoking.
- Austria: Smoking in public will be fined. Smoking is allowed in restaurants, bars and cafes. But bars and restaurants with more than 100 m² must have smoke-free areas. Smoking is allowed again in separately furnished parts of the train.
- Portugal: Restaurants & bars larger than 100 m² are smoke-free as of January 1, 2008.
- Singapore: Smoking prohibited in all buildings except bars, restaurants, cafes.
- Spain: Since 01-01-2011, Spain has been one of the strictest countries in terms of smoking. All public buildings are non-smoking. No smoking areas allowed in the catering industry.
- Taiwan: The catering industry is smoke-free, as are public spaces. There are separate smoking areas (usually on the corner of a street) where smoking is allowed. Furthermore, smoking is sometimes allowed on terraces, but that is not appreciated.
- Tanzania: Smoking is only allowed outside.
- Thailand: Extensive ban on smoking in all air-conditioned public areas since 2002. The further away from Bangkok, the less seriously this is taken. The exceptions are bars and nightclubs, hotel rooms and, of course, terraces where smoking is allowed. Yet parts of terraces are often also used as Smoking prohibited marked; in that case it concerns the part of the terrace that you have to pass to get to the entrance. Smoking is also prohibited on buses, trains, etc. There are smoking areas available at airports. Violating the smoking ban will cost you 2000 baht, but keep in mind that the company that allows the violation will be punished multiple times.
- United States:
- In Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, New York (state), New Jersey, Florida, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, North Dakota, Washington State, Utah, Rhode Island, Vermont and Ohio are restaurants non-smoking.
- In California it is also no longer allowed to smoke within a circle of 30 meters from buildings with officials.
- In Nevada, true Las Vegas a similar criterion applies. It's not just about age, but whether a business sells food or not. No food: smoking is allowed! Eat well: smoking is not allowed!
- New York City has practically a total ban on smoking in buildings, including bars and nightclubs. Smoking is still allowed in sole proprietorships (or multiple owners - but no staff) and cigars are allowed to be smoked in cigar bars or clubs with a special cigar room.
- In Tennessee any restaurant or bar that allows access to people under the age of 21 must be smoke-free. Bars and restaurants, where one must be at least 21, are exempted by law, as are terraces.
- In other states, restaurants of a certain size are required to have smoke-free areas.
- South Africa: Smoking prohibited in all public buildings and at work. Bars and cafes are exempt from the ban and many restaurants have smoking areas in the form of ventilated indoor areas or an outdoor area.
- Sweden: Restaurants and bars are non-smoking. Restaurants and bars may, under certain conditions, create separate areas where smoking is allowed.