Never thought I'd see the day!

[madamtrashheap]

France is implimenting the EU legislation on smoking in public places as of this Thursday:
news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/6319133.stm

I was in both Ireland and Italy on the days that this legislation took effect - thought there was going to be a riot in the pubs in Ireland and was amazed that the Italian Health Minister quit smoking that day (he didn't want to stand in the cold to smoke!) - and we joked that France and Greece (and the UK) would be hard to win over...but here it is! Must say, as a non-smoker and asthmatic, it's a good thing, and going to a disco (club) and coming home not smelling like a pack of Malborough Lights is great - but I'm sure it's going to meet with discord.

[herrbert]

As you all know the Netherlands is getting a new government, and the parties who will make up the new government, have decided that smoking in restaurants and cafés will be banned in 2011.

[crystal]

A smoking ban came into effect in Scotland last year.
Wales went non-smoking as of the 1st of April 2007 and England and N.Ireland will go non-smoking on the 1st of July.
The ban covers all enclosed public space basically speaking anywhere inside - pubs, clubs, restaurants, offices. Most pubs are in the process of designing beer gardens and smoking shelters but I think a lot of people will be quitting (i have - only 2mths but still counting:-) ).

The funniest thing about it is hearing the woes of smokers who predict the death of the whole country's social life because of the ban and the bankrupcy of all bar owners and club managers!! No-one will ever leave their homes again!!

[jennifer]

Hurray! And for other countries who have not implemented this, take the A away from the first word in this post

[herrbert]

Update on the Netherlands ... they will hurry, and in 2008 at least hotels & restaurants, need to be non-smoking, for cafés, disco's and clubs, it's foreseen, that within 3 years, they also need to be non-smoking. (but there is a big chance the new minister of Health, will be demanding a faster ban)