What Countries Have Regular Cigarettes Been Banned In?AA-00326Smoking Ban ListAs the world becomes a safer, green-minded place to live in, many nations are taking steps to promote a healthier public environment. Just take a look at all of the places where smoking has been outlawed in public places and think to yourself: If smoking wasn’t that bad for you, would all these destinations take the same action? Smoking is harmful, even as second hand smoke. Here is a list of all of the places that have bans or restrictions regarding cigarette smoking in public places. Note: We decided to make up a term to easily define the act of “Being forced by law to create an area for smokers that is out of harms way to other people in the establishment.” This term is “sectional smoking.” AlbaniaMay 26, 2007 the country passed a law that banned smoking in closed public areas and also outlawed tobacco advertising. AndorraSmoking is banned in government buildings, public buses, and educational facilities. ArgentinaBuenos Aires banned smoking in 2006 in public areas, with some restrictions worth pointing out. Smoking is sectioned off in some cities, where the bar or restaurant owners have to make separate smoking areas. ArmeniaA March 2005 law banned smoking in hospitals, educational, cultural and mental institutions. It also banned smoking on public transportation. This ban was later updated to require public and private institutions to section off areas where people can smoke out of the harmful way of others. AustraliaThere are many State-to-State rules, but in short, there has been an overwhelming movement to get rid of smoking in public areas. AustriaAustria has updated it’s policy to basically state that any establishment over 80 m2 has to have sectional smoking. BahrainBahrain outlawed smoking in public places on 27 February 2008. BelgiumCurrent ban is in effect in any area where food is served. BermudaWorkplaces, bars, restaurants, and clubs all outlawed smoking. BhutanAfter a lengthy struggle since 2005, many policies have been installed, only to eventually be repealed. There have been prison terms for people SELLING tobacco in Bhutan, so you can see this is a very serious issue. Bosnia and HerzegovinaSmoking is banned in public buildings dating back to 2007. BrazilSectional smoking as well as bans in public places. BulgariaBanned in all indoor establishments except bars and restaurants. CanadaSmoking is banned in all territories and provinces at last time of reviewing Canada’s smoking rules. ChileSectional smoking in most circumstances. ChinaSmoking is banned about everywhere in China except restaurants. ColombiaIndoor work environments and public places are smoke free, and Colombia is very strict in it’s rules towards advertising to minors. CroatiaThere are some strict rules in Croatia, but the main idea is that establishments that meet strict criteria have to use ventilation systems in order to control their environment. CubaMost work places in Cuba have outlawed smoking, and there are very strict rules on where tobacco can even be sold. CyprusBanned everywhere. Czech RepublicRegulated smoking, very complicated to report. DenmarkSectional smoking with some parameters. EcuadorEcuador is a big smoking nation, and while there are signs in certain areas where smoking is allowed, it’s routinely ignored from all reports. EstoniaSectional Smoking. Faroe IslandsBanned. FinlandLast report says Finland plans on outlawing smoking entirely. FranceSectional smoking with some rules. GermanyRules are in place, but according to reports, not really enforced. GreeceUpdate coming soon. GuatemalaBanned in public establishments. Hong KongVery complex rules, fines, and regulations, but bottom line, smoking is closely governed. HungarySmoking has been banned for several years in public establishments. IcelandBanned. IndiaIn India, you can basically smoke inside your own home or car to be safe. Anything else has rules. IndonesiaBanned with a few parameters. IrelandBanned. Isle of ManBanned. Even in prison. IsraelSectional smoking and strict bans. ItalyItaly was one of the first nations to adopt no-smoking policies, and has rules based on sectional smoking. JapanRules vary, but for the most part, it’s difficult to smoke anywhere in public. KazakhstanFull smoking ban. KenyaBanned. LatviaBanned. LithuaniaBanned, except for in specialized smoking bars. LuxembourgBanned except for in “snack bars.” MacedoniaBanned unless you are in your own home. MadagascarBanned in airports, clubs, and bars. MaltaSectional smoking. MalaysiaBanned. MexicoBanned. MonacoBanned, but you can smoke in bars, nightclubs, or other late night spots. MontenegroMoroccoBanned. MozambiqueBanned, with some sectional smoking. NamibiaBanned. NetherlandsBanned, with some loose interpretations. New ZealandBanned. NigerBanned. NigeriaBanned. NorwayBanned. ParaguayBanned. PhilippinesFor the most part, banned. PolandSmall bars can sometimes be allowed, but other than that, its’ banned. PortugalBanned, with some restrictions in regards to people who use ventilation. RussiaUnkown. SloveniaBanned with some parameters for people that do want to allow smoking. South AfricaUnknown. SpainBanned. SwedenSwitzerlandBanned with State to State variations., ThailandBanned. TurkeyBanned. UgandaBanned. United Arab EmiratesBanned. United KingdomBanned. Northern IrelandBanned with big fines for people who violate the rules. ScotlandVarious rules make smoking illegal in restaurants and public places, with restrictions. WalesSmoking is banned across public premises. United StatesState-by-State rules differ, but anyone in the USA can attest that smoking is generally outlawed in public places. UruguaySectional smoking. Vatican CityBanned. VietnamBanned everywhere imaginable. ZambiaSmoking is prohibited in public places in and is enforced with a huge fine and a possible two year prison term. \ |