emigrating due to smoking ban

[smokesingdance]

I am in the process of making what will probably be my biggest life changing decision of all time. I live in England and unfortunately it is looking increasingly likely that we will soon be faced with an all out ban on smoking in public places. I have a great life here in England but it will come to an abrupt end if and when a blanket ban on public smoking comes into effect.

I have therefore decided that in the event of such a ban I will want to emigrate to a smoker friendly country. Following a discussion on a Yahoo smoking group (see my posting on smoking groups) I have come to the conclusion that Spain is the most smoker friendly country so that's where I'll most likely be moving to. No smoking areas are almost unheard of, cigarettes are far cheaper than they are here and there will probably be far more attractive chain smoking women in Spain than just about anywhwere else.

Many people reading this will be in a similar situation themselves if they live in an area where smoking in public places has been banned or is about to be. Given the enormous life changing implications of emigrating I was hoping to discuss the subject in the smoking passions chat with others in a similar situation who will be sympathetic with my reasons for wanting to emigrate.

[smokesingdance]

Since I posted my last message I have spent all day researching the prospect of emigrating to Spain and the only thing I don't like about the place is the hot weather but that'd be a small price to pay given all the benefits of moving to Spain. And I certainly like the idea of attractive scantily dressed women puffing away on the beach etc.

So I've decided that it's definitely what I want to do and if my future girlfriend is reading this I trust you'll want to move there with me unless you're lucky enough to already live in a smoker friendly area.

[smokesingdance]

Unfortunately I have just found out that Spain is no longer smoker
friendly - see (removed) and
(removed)
and (removed)

I had just started making plans to emigrate to Spain but now I don't
think I will. It would now seem that Greece is the most smoker
friendly country in Europe but even here the situation looks set to
change as you'll see at (removed)

So can anyone recommend any smoker friendly countries for us
disgruntled smokers to emigrate to?

Peter Bibby

[annabell (deleted)]

smokesingdance, I can appreciate your dilemmna, if only at a much smaller level. I live in Colorado, USA, where once again a state smoking ban in all restruants, bars, business, etc. is being discussed currently in the state legislature. I fear this time it will pass, and without any exemptions such as taverns or bars. I don't know what you mean about "public places"--is it just inside or is it outside as well? As far as smoker friendly countries, I couldn't tell you. I have been to Spain about ten years ago in high school, and I remember it being very smoker friendly, but it seems that you have unearthed that it is moving against smokers.

[spitefulcrow_PREV (deleted)]

I'd say move to New York, but we all know how that would go.

[heavysmoker_PREV (deleted)]

Just read an article that says that the ban in Spain is being widely ignored (and not being enforced at all) and that there is an allowance for larger bars and restaurants to offer a smoking section (although the ashtrays are back out at almost every bar and resturant)...so all is not lost in Spain. It is a VERY smoker friendly country and it's seems for the time being will remain so. Even the non smokers there are siding with the smokers!! Go Spain!!

[smokesingdance]

Thanks for your advice about Spain but after much research it seems that Germany's our best bet. I've just read that Germany is the most smoker friendly country in western Europe at (removed)
in the smoker's rights newsletter. Incidentally do many other members of smoking passions subscribe to it? Anyway it looks like Germany is where I'm going to emigrate to so I guess I'd better start learning German.

Peter Bibby

[temperedoil (deleted)]

That was back in the nineties, and I have seen in the news that things have changed generally since I left. However, I do remember Germany to be a good place for a smoker.

Moving there from New Zealand, I was surprised to see cigarette machines everywhere, and advertising banners, plus even onscreen advertising at the cinemas. I do not recall ever seeing cigarette dispensing machines in New Zealand, but all forms of tobacco advertising have been banned here for quite a while now.

Germany was a good place for a smoker to be. It helped that so many attractive ladies there smoked, too. However, I had to come back to New Zealand eventually. Now, in New Zealand, one of the (thankfully minor) political parties here is even calling for the total ban of sales of tobacco and tobacco products. I very much doubt that that will come to pass (not at all practical), but it does offer some insight into how society has changed over the years.

Still can't get enough of the lovely smoking women... if only there were more of them.

[1whitekitten (deleted)]

It appears I have made my own Smokers Paradise, In Aus we have smoking bans in Restuarants and all Public and Gover buildings......so..
I bought a 1 acre Block in the country...now all my smoking friends Prof ( I am a Doc. .)and private come stay at weekends.......they 'bring a plate' and whatever they wish to drink and we are all happy.........HOWEVER I was in the process of re-locaing to the USA simply because I have not been able to find a Special Man for me...lol (Aussie Men leave a whole lot to be desired. .!!!) maybe I should re-think....Australia is not so bad for smokers.....

[jacki_PREV (deleted)]

I'd love to do Australia sometime! Anyway, with regard to the USA and smoking, it depends on where you go. The south still isn't too bad for smokers overall. But New York, California, and Washington-State (where I am) have definately gotten carried away with the anti-smoking hype. Most restaurants here have an outdoor terrace or patio where smokers can be comfortable. But that's fine in the summer. The new smoking ban here won't really hit home until winter, when it's really s---ty outside. Anyway, good luck with your decision, whether it's to move or stay.

[smokeringeater (deleted)]

Well, as Jacki said, here in the Southern USA (I'm in Huntsville, Alabama), we have a ban in my city about smoking in businesses, schools, and a few select resturants. Some, if not all the bars, still have smoking. The ones that do have smoking have a sign at the door saying they are smoking establishments. They are the only ones I go to. I work at a resturant called Waffle House, but in the next city over, Madison. We still have a smoking and a non-smoking section. All the ones of the same chain here in Huntsville, went non-smoking and I have told them not to ask me to work any of those stores.

I like to be a waiter in those stores that allow smoking. I love to wait on a table, taking someones order and they blow smoke in my face as I'm taking there order. Good thing I have a waiters apron on or I might be a little embarrassed.......hehehe.

[eciggy]

Dont move to New Zealand they have bans on smoking in Bars and Restaurants there too.

My favorite smoking alternative is from (removed)

[willian]

.frist i do thing smoke is bad but it is not up to me to say who smokes or not and i thck it should be up to the oner if you can smoke in the Restrons or not this sposto be a free c---ry will