I've never fully understood the smoking ban. To me, it seems like it should be up to the individual restaurant or bar owners. They should have the decision as to which customers they want to alienate: the smokers or the non-smokers. (However, I agree that smoking should be banned in all public places, like bus stations and airport terminals.)

To take something perfectly legal and restrict people from doing it in places they choose to be is ridiculous. If I don't want to be around smoke, I won't go where smoke is. Simple as that. "But what about the waitresses and barkeeps!" some shout. Well, I guess that's a valid concern... but even so, they have the choice to not work where smoking is allowed.

Anyway, If you're a smoker who is heading to Europe this summer, have a look at Budget Travel Online's European smoking law map to see where you can and can't light up. This map is handy too for you non-smokers, too.

Filed under: Europe