Smoking Ban List

As 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 harm's way to other people in the establishment.” This term is “sectional smoking.”

Albania

May 26, 2007 the country passed a law that banned smoking in closed public areas and also outlawed tobacco advertising.

Andorra

Smoking is banned in government buildings, public buses, and educational facilities.

Argentina

Buenos 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.

Armenia

A 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.

Australia

There are many State-to-State rules, but in short, there has been an overwhelming movement to get rid of smoking in public areas.

Austria

Austria has updated its policy to basically state that any establishment over 80 m2 has to have sectional smoking.

Bahrain

Bahrain outlawed smoking in public places on 27 February 2008.

Belgium

The current ban is in effect in any area where food is served.

Bermuda

Workplaces, bars, restaurants, and clubs all outlawed smoking.

Bhutan

After a lengthy struggle since 2005, many policies have been installed, only to eventually be repealed.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 Herzegovina

Smoking is banned in public buildings dating back to 2007.

Brazil

Sectional smoking as well as bans in public places.

Bulgaria

Banned in all indoor establishments except bars and restaurants.

Canada

Smoking is banned in all territories and provinces at last time of reviewing Canada’s smoking rules.

Chile

Sectional smoking in most circumstances.

China

Smoking is banned about everywhere in China except restaurants.

Colombia

Indoor work environments and public places are smoke-free, and Colombia is very strict in its rules towards advertising to minors.

Croatia

There 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.

Cuba

Most workplaces in Cuba have outlawed smoking, and there are very strict rules on where tobacco can even be sold.

Cyprus

Banned everywhere.

Czech Republic

Regulated smoking, very complicated to report.

Denmark

Sectional smoking with some parameters.

Ecuador

Ecuador is a big smoking nation, and while there are signs in certain areas where smoking is allowed, it’s routinely ignored from all reports.

Estonia

Sectional Smoking.

Faroe Islands

Banned.

Finland

The last report says Finland plans on outlawing smoking entirely.

France

Sectional smoking with some rules.

Germany

Rules are in place, but according to reports, not really enforced.

Greece

Update coming soon.

Guatemala

Banned in public establishments.

Hong Kong

Very complex rules, fines, and regulations, but bottom line, smoking is closely governed.

Hungary

Smoking has been banned for several years in public establishments.

Iceland

Banned.

India

In India, you can basically smoke inside your own home or car to be safe. Anything else has rules.

Indonesia

Banned with a few parameters.

Ireland

Banned.

Isle of Man

Banned. Even in prison.

Israel

Sectional smoking and strict bans.

Italy

Italy was one of the first nations to adopt no-smoking policies and has rules based on sectional smoking.

Japan

Rules vary, but for the most part, it’s difficult to smoke anywhere in public.

Kazakhstan

Full smoking ban.

Kenya

Banned.

Latvia

Banned.

Lithuania

Banned, except for in specialized smoking bars.

Luxembourg

Banned except for in “snack bars.”

Macedonia

Banned unless you are in your own home.

Madagascar

Banned in airports, clubs, and bars.

Malta

Sectional smoking.

Malaysia

Banned.

Mexico

Banned.

Monaco

Banned, but you can smoke in bars, nightclubs, or other late night spots.

Montenegro

Banned.

Morocco

Banned.

Mozambique

Banned, with some sectional smoking.

Namibia

Banned.

Netherlands

Banned, with some loose interpretations.

New Zealand

Banned.

Niger

Banned.

Nigeria

Banned.

Norway

Banned.

Paraguay

Banned.

Philippines

For the most part, banned.

Poland

Small bars can sometimes be allowed, but other than that, it's banned.

Portugal

Banned, with some restrictions in regards to people who use ventilation.

Russia

Unkown.

Slovenia

Banned with some parameters for people that do want to allow smoking.

South Africa

Unknown.

Spain

Banned.

Sweden

Sectional Smoking

Switzerland

Banned with State to State variations.,

Thailand

Banned.

Turkey

Banned.

Uganda

Banned.

United Arab Emirates

Banned.

United Kingdom

Banned.

Northern Ireland

Banned with big fines for people who violate the rules.

Scotland

Various rules make smoking illegal in restaurants and public places, with restrictions.

Wales

Smoking is banned on public premises.

United States

State-by-State rules differ, but anyone in the USA can attest that smoking is generally outlawed in public places.

Uruguay

Sectional smoking.

Vatican City

Banned.

Vietnam

Banned everywhere imaginable.

Zambia

Smoking is prohibited in public places in and is enforced with a huge fine and a possible two-year prison term. \