For travelers who want to sit in a café without the health risk of passive smoking, we pointed out last year on our worldwide smoking ban map that most of Europe is smoke-free, but there was an odd exception: the beautiful Swiss city of Geneva.

A legal loophole meant that the attempt to ban smoking in public places failed and smokers were able to continue lighting up all over Geneva. But now that very opportunity has been, well, extinguished. Geneva held a referendum on Sunday and a whopping 81.77% of locals supported a ban on public smoking across the region. ]]> amandak 2009-10-07T14:33:55-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/9/24/134217/113

Well, we didn't have to wait very long for Ryanair to think up another crazy and controversial money-making scheme. Want to know what it is this time, now that they've already talked up paying to pee? Wait for it...wait for it...it's smoking on the plane!

That's right, one of the top behavioral rules of modern day air travel is being turned on its head by Ryanair, who are piloting the idea with their own brand of "Smokeless Cigarettes." What kind of crap are they trying to pull, exactly? Well, it seems that Ryanair took a survey of their passengers, according to USA Today, and found that some 24,000 professed an interest in smoking during flights. It did not however specify how many passengers were surveyed; 24,000 could be like a very low percentage, we have no idea. ]]> JetSetCD 2009-09-24T14:10:07-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/10/13/94421/182

We've been tracking new smoking bans the past few months, as India, Kenya and Niger all stubbed out cigarettes. So to help keep track of where you won't find smoky cafes and cloudy bus terminals, we've put together a Worldwide Smoking Ban Map.

As it stands now, your best bet for a tobacco-free trip is in Europe, where many countries prohibit puffing. But the former British Empire is also a good choice, with Bermuda, Hong Kong and Singapore on the map along with Kenya and India.

Any countries we missed? Let us know.

Related Stories:
· No More Bidis in India [Jaunted]
· Six Months Post-Ban, Cloudy Benefits in Chicago [Jaunted]

[Photo: MShades]]]> pbb 2008-10-13T10:00:44-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/10/1/121058/933

Worldwide smoking bans continue to menace kayaks as the hot newness, and this time it's India that's stubbing out cigs in all bars and offices--and even in public places like bus stops. The ban goes into effect tomorrow.

Of India's 1.2 billion people, an estimated 250 million smoke, and health authorities are worried more might light up as the country's middle class grows. But the 200 rupee ($4.25) fine for rule breakers won't be stopping at least one smoker the UK Times spoke with:

The authorities aren't organised enough to prevent people smoking. I'll pay a bribe if they try to stop me. Or perhaps I'll just stay at home.

Related Stories:
· India to Start World's Biggest Smoking Ban [UK Times, via]
· Smoking Bans coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: RobRyb]]]> pbb 2008-10-01T12:30:36-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/9/12/123157/820

Despite our assertion that billboards are the new cigarettes, countries are still banning smokes. The latest to jump on the trend is Niger; in July Kenya passed a sweeping anti-smoking law.

People caught lighting up in public places or on public transport can be fined anywhere from $10 to more than $2,000, and jail sentences are apparently also on the table. Businesses that let patrons smoke can have their licenses revoked.

The BBC reports that there may be a little bit of a de facto grace period for puffers in the country since the government has only now decided to start enforcing the ban, which was originally approved in 2006.

Related Stories:
· Niger Cabinet Passes Smoking Ban [BBC, via]
· New Smoking Ban in Kenya Cutting Loosie Sales [Jaunted]
· Smoking Bans coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: robin.elaine]]]> pbb 2008-09-12T13:05:27-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/7/23/154914/072

Is the wind in the Windy City a little clearer these days? Two and a half years after the City Council passed a "public places" smoking ban, residents are pleased overall--even if the ban has had some unintended consequences.]]> egw 2008-07-23T16:15:21-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/7/11/151713/517

Kenya is the latest country to join the no-smoking bandwagon, with an stringent anti-tobacco law that went into effect this week. The government's ban on butts is so strict, residents can't even puff in parks, private cars or their own homes.

The new rules require smokers to stick to sealed and ventilated rooms, so unless a house is equipped, it's technically out of bounds. For those hangers-on, the government has established a few outdoor "smoking zones" that draw clusters of smokers, eager to avoid fines of up to $46,000. (That's not for the first offense!)

Also included in the new tobacco control legislation is a ban on sales of single cigarettes, designed to keep lower-income Kenyans from lighting up. One vendor in Narobi told the BBC that his sales of loosies had indeed dropped off--but that people were just buying packs instead.

Related Stories:
· Stringent Law for Kenyan Smokers [BBC]
· Smoking coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: prondis_in_kenya]]]> pbb 2008-07-11T15:30:14-05:00 Search Jaunted string http://www.jaunted.com/search/