No smoking in Valais

In case you missed it, Valais has caught up with other European ski resorts and has banned smoking in public places. In other words, restaurants, bars, clubs are now all smoke-free zones. This is the first season of the smoking ban indoors. Smokers now have to huddle round patio heaters on terraces to drink their vin chaud.

There's a lot of anti-smokers on this site. Was really surprised last year in Austria that you could smoke everywhere. Must be one of the last places in Europe to stop smoking in public places.

Still ... doesn't hurt to pop out for some fresh air every once in a while.

G

Yes, non smokers visiting Valais mountain restaurants now have to wade through a thick curtain of smoke to gain entry, as smokers collect around the doors :roll:

:roll:

we should all be confined to our own homes, and not be treated in hospitals.

tino_11 wrote: :roll:

we should all be confined to our own homes, and not be treated in hospitals.

I know you are a smoker Tino, but I'm not. I just do not like my hair and clothes stinking from cigarette and cigar smoke. Additionally breathing in cigarette smoke gives me asthma symptoms that last me several days. I developed that allergy after working with heavy smokers. I quit going into UK pubs over the smoke, now they are smoke free I've not been back, just lost the habit.

To me it seems odd, that in the pristine mountain air all folks want to do is fill their lungs with smoke. I even see smokers skiing along with fags in their mouths.

Not nearly as odd as wanting to slide around on a tray though :P

bandit wrote:

tino_11 wrote: :roll:

we should all be confined to our own homes, and not be treated in hospitals.

I know you are a smoker Tino, but I'm not. I just do not like my hair and clothes stinking from cigarette and cigar smoke. Additionally breathing in cigarette smoke gives me asthma symptoms that last me several days. I developed that allergy after working with heavy smokers. I quit going into UK pubs over the smoke, now they are smoke free I've not been back, just lost the habit.

To me it seems odd, that in the pristine mountain air all folks want to do is fill their lungs with smoke. I even see smokers skiing along with fags in their mouths.

Not nearly as odd as wanting to slide around on a tray though :P

I wish they would just make it illegal to sell em. That would stop all this nonsense once and for all.

I find it intriguing how so many skiers/snowboarders smoke.

Austria really lets itself down. From Jan 2009, bars & restaurants over 50 sq metres have to provide a non-smoking area greater than half of the area. Below 50 sq metres, the innkeeper can decide. There is very little in the way of employee protection. Any bans on smoking is regularly flouted.

Like Bandit, I used to go down to a local pub. Came one very smoky night, I walked round, and everyone in the pub was smoking. Put down my pint and didn't go back for two years. Now, I only go every couple of weeks, just because there is a music night.

I am a smoker, I know I should'nt but I do. But even I agree that you should not inflict it on others. In Finland you are not allowed to smoke in any accomodation, bar etc or even outside bars and cafes. There is a strategically placed post with an ashtray on for you all to gather round. If you smoke in your log cabins you incur a 150 euros fine. But was really surprised to find a smoking room at Kuusamo airport, helped my flying nerves no end :lol: