It is now official that both the Federal smoking ban and the Cantonal one in Zurich will become effective on 1st May 2010. The Canton of Zurich one will be stricter than the Federal one. The Federal law sets minimum standards, but Cantons are free to be stricter. Under Federal law, small sized restaurants can declare themselves to be "smoker-places" but under Zurich law they cannot. The only problem now is that "gastronomy-chief" Mr Bachmann tries to press through a transition period of a full year. I just hope that the Cantonal government does not yield to this demand.

hang on, wasn't it supposed to be 1st January 2010?

I have been waiting 23 years for this. Praise the Lord. I can finally go out in Zurich and not come home stinking like an ashtray.

May 2010 says Swissinfo here

Same day as when Leftist protests take place, at least in ZH

Perhaps a newer poll would be good for this thread ??

Go for it

Ooh is this legit for Basel too....god I hope so!

Civilization has finally arrived in CH

Being a smoker and not against the smoking ban regulations, it is comments like these that make me wish that the regulations will not exist...

well, the federal law takes effect on May 1st 2010 anyway, so this goes for all of Switzerland.

The federal law is (a little) less strict. Tiny restaurants (under 80 m2) can declare themselves to be smoker joints. This mainly goes for smallish bars, tough. I doubt many family restaurants will go down that path - they'll ruin themselves if they do so.

Peter

Yes, it is amazing to see in COOP the smoke, the children, all mixed. I was shocked when I first enter this country and I saw it. I said to my self, wtf, is it a Somali or simular? No respect.

Who will be next?

The flatulent? The soap-dodging?

The puritans won't be happy till we're all tucked up in bed by seven o' clock and the bars and restaurants have all been closed down.

Mark my words...

... incidentally, I don't smoke.

But I am very, very flatulent.

I can vouch for that!

Or rather, from now till May 2010, smokers should show non-smokers how inconsiderate they can be by blowing all the smoke straight into their face. After all, there is nothing they can do since they will get to enjoy smoke free premises from May next year

Oh yes, we will show how uncivilized we are...

... so carry on as usual, then?

I don't give a bollocks for the rights of smokers, whether they blow smoke in my face or just waft their smoke around in a general, non-specific manner. They are a selfish, malodorous throwback to a previous state of human barbarity, and shall receive no sympathy from me.

However, I do not agree with smoking bans, as they are nothing more than the thin end of a long, puritanically-inspired wedge which, ultimately, will result in sobriety, prudence, chastity and woe.

Smokers are vile, but I am glad they exist, as they are a sign that all is not lost to the ban-happy, finger-wagging killjoys who'd have us all eating salads and cycling to work in the morning, before spending the day being carbon-neutral and caring for the whales, thinking happy thoughts and respecting the sensibilities of the miserable scrote in the next cubicle.

In fact, I might take up smoking, loathsome as the habit is, just to spite them.

The *******s.

Me too, and you are worrying me , on a slightly more serious note though, I am glad finally the ban is comming. Especially because I think it is really uncomfortable to be eating (in a restaurant) while people smoke close to you

DB, the great defender of the principle of freedom

You to ? flatulent ?
dear dear.... not good for the ozone

It runs in my family, but now that I am taking metformine it is worse, my husband says it should be called metfartine

I wonder how on earth did this turn into a gassy thread? My apologies...

I used to do that at the time I smoked when I drank, just to p!ss men off, but then one told me that blowing smoke into a guys face was a symbol of wanting to have sex with him...
But suit yourself...