The argument FOR completely banning smoking in *all* public places is slowly & globally overtaking the protests of those who want a 'right to smoke' and request a separate smoking area. This is a different argument ... BUT
It is not 'the locals' who don't take any notice ... in many 'non-chain' coffee shops if you ask the waiter for an 'ashtray' they'll bring you a glass or cup of water - but *never* a _real_ ashtray. Sometimes they'll remind you that YOU are responsible for the fine. I've never seen anybody fined, but I'm sure it is possible.
However I agree that the people - who are generally dressed in white robes - who light up after a McDonalds in City Centre, etc are definitely flouting 'custom'. Personally, I think society in general at the moment accepts that some coffee shops allow smoking (and others don't tolerate it at all), and I accept that this will change over the next 5 years. Outside of 'Western Europe/America' if you visit somebody's house they'll bring an ashtray (whether you smoke or not) - in the UK you'd probably get shown the door if you actually dared to ask for an ashtray now! Times they are a-changing.
I well remember going (for the first time) to TGIF at Landmark and standing oustide to have a 'final cigarette' before going in, only to discover (to our great glee) that they had a smoking section.
Balance & tolerance in society ... isn't it great :)
The argument FOR completely banning smoking in *all* public places is slowly & globally overtaking the protests of those who want a 'right to smoke' and request a separate smoking area. This is a different argument ... BUT
It is not 'the locals' who don't take any notice ... in many 'non-chain' coffee shops if you ask the waiter for an 'ashtray' they'll bring you a glass or cup of water - but *never* a _real_ ashtray. Sometimes they'll remind you that YOU are responsible for the fine. I've never seen anybody fined, but I'm sure it is possible.
However I agree that the people - who are generally dressed in white robes - who light up after a McDonalds in City Centre, etc are definitely flouting 'custom'. Personally, I think society in general at the moment accepts that some coffee shops allow smoking (and others don't tolerate it at all), and I accept that this will change over the next 5 years. Outside of 'Western Europe/America' if you visit somebody's house they'll bring an ashtray (whether you smoke or not) - in the UK you'd probably get shown the door if you actually dared to ask for an ashtray now! Times they are a-changing.
I well remember going (for the first time) to TGIF at Landmark and standing oustide to have a 'final cigarette' before going in, only to discover (to our great glee) that they had a smoking section.
Balance & tolerance in society ... isn't it great :)