French, German Smoking Bans Take Effect Today
Wednesday January 2, 2008
France's controversial ban on smoking in bars, hotels and restaurants takes effect today. You'll still be able to smoke at sidewalk tables, but you won't be able to light up indoors.
Eight German states, including Berlin and Bavaria, also prohibit smoking in bars and restaurants as of today, bringing the total number of German states with anti-smoking laws up to 11. The remaining German states are implementing smoking bans later this year. The new German law permits separate smoking rooms, but many restaurant owners say they don't have space for such an enclosure.
France and Germany join Ireland, Italy, the United Kingdom and many other nations that have banned smoking in restaurants, bars or other public areas.
Photo © Margarit Ralev
High Time! My number one pet peeve about travelling in Germany in the cooler months is the impenetrable, carcinogenic fog that too often fills restaurants. If you like the smoke-free environment, be sure to tell the restauranteurs and bar owners that you’ll come back again.