I'm actually from Seattle which seems to have similar laws to Vancouver, I guess. However, the people of the city voted to ban smoking inside of everywhere with a few exceptions. Additionally, the ban extends to 25 feet beyond the front door. Comically, this sometimes sits in the middle of the street because the neighboring establishments' doors on either side are closer than 25 feet. Also, the roads are pretty narrow so sometimes, you literally cannot smoke anywhere except for maybe directly in the middle of the street because the establishments on the other side of the street are barely 50 feet away if that. Honestly, I have no idea why people obey the law other than people in Seattle are super health conscious most of the time other than when they are drinking but most of the city has seemingly bought into the idea that smoking is bad for you. Its weird, but makes for a much more enjoyable existence for non-smokers.

Also, AhYesBut, did your post about not liking me make you feel better about yourself somehow? I hope so.

Carcinogens from cold, recycled, low density smoke as found on a terrace are so diluted as to be on a par with sitting in light traffic or eating an overly toasted bagel. So relax and breathe deeply.

Out of curiosity, what sort of evidence do you base that statement on?

The Zurich law, based on an initiative, was approved with a clear majority of the voters. The iniitiative was of course done in a way that it had a real chance with the electorate, far-reaching and decisive but not radical and extreme. Important is that the Cantonal laws, approved by the electorates, remain fully in force, as the Federal law is just setting minimum standards. There are some Cantons which never adopted a Cantonal smoking ban, and so live with the Federal ban which is as strong as a beverage consisting of 50% Feldschlösschen and 50% tapwater.

I think on this occasion I might just rely on good old fashioned common-sense.

http://www.nature.com/nature/journal.../4471049a.html

http://tobaccosmoke.exposurescience....S_Preprint.pdf

Basically, if you're more than 2 meters from a smoker outdoors, you'll get no exposure at all, even if youre downwind of them. By contrast if you live near a motorway it will take 165 times the distance for the pollution to regress to background levels - 330 meters.
http://www.sdearthtimes.com/et0603/et0603s21.html


Could you please let us know which establishment you settle on, so I can choose a different one? Thanks

the best is one time i was asked to not smoke in the outside area. so i took my beer, went on the sidewalk and smoked/drank. then they told me i can't drink on the sidewalk, public property. couldnt drink and smoke together in this place!!

I just visited Restaurant Nooba in Kreutzplatz and they have a disorganized, but existent outdoor non-smoking area. It was cold, so we sat inside, so I didn't see how they were enforcing the non-smoking outdoors, but its nice to know that there is at least one progressive restaurant.

How does a "disorganised" no-smoking area look?

Were you expecting everyone to sit neatly in a row not smoking as opposed to randomly sitting all over the place, not smoking, and looking untidy?

There's no pleasing some people.

It just seemed like the signs were distributed rather haphazardly around the tables. All or most of the tables had the non-smoking signs, but it wasn't consistent. That's all.

LOL!!!! 'nuff said!

saint7UK - this whole post was asking about this for the purposes of the summertime. Not the fall. It was never ever cold outside during the summer and it was always hot inside during the summer because of the tendency to not use AC or even fans in this country. I want to sit outside when its hot and I want to know how I can make my summer next year smoke free.

You should hang out with my BF, a.k.a. "the smoking police"

No seriously, irony aside, he is also looking for outdoor non-smoking establishments all the time - while I enjoy a cigarette and a glass of wine on the terrasse - so if he/we find something, I'll post it here and let you know.

By the way (off topic) Seattle is a beautiful city! I have good memories from my visits there

Federica - You seem so cool. Thanks for posting a nice post on here. Mostly, I seem to be battling with people on this post who are angry smokers who have come to Switzerland and view it as a last garden of Eden for smoking in public because they are banning it in their home countries. I must admit that my goal is not to infringe on your (or anyone's) desire to smoke and enjoy a glass of wine. That's your choice. I just don't really want to sit next to you while you do it. The smoking that is. It seems like they could have segregated outdoor areas like restaurants used to have in the '80s.

Let me know if your boyfriend finds some nice smoke free places.

You'll forgive Switzerland for trying to conserve electricity, thus keeping the air clean by extinguishing rather large cigarettes like this:

You're missing the point as far as I am concerned. It'll probably make no difference to someone's health but for certain people, it can just be plain unpleasant to sit 2m downwind of someone who smokes - especially if they are eating.

What is so wrong in trying to find non-smoking outdoor places?

I've never smoked a cigarette in my life but think that trying to ban it OUTSIDE a restaurant is bonkers idea.

I wouldn't give a monkey's if they banned smoking outright tomorrow but I do respect people's right to choose and if they are smoking outside a restaurant then it's their choice - the effects on me are negligible.

Ironic that you want power-burning air-conditioners all over the place, though. What kind of toxins do you think the power-stations release into the atmosphere for god's sake? I think I'll take my chances with 2nd hand smoke out in the open air thanks very much...

Mostly, old chap, you ain't.

Indeed. I certainly don't smoke. In fact, the first pang I've had in three years has been caused by his thread. I have this sudden urge to follow the OP around town puffing on a great big cigar.