Smoking

podborski says on Feb 7, 2007, 09:49:

my first impression of colombians was that they all smoked all the time.

Last visit it was a bit less noticeable.

Still, it has to be much more than in NA for sure, where smoking really is losing its cachet.

Haven't been to western europe for ages, but heard that the non smoking thing is catching on there too, finally?

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podborski says on Feb 7, 2007, 10:01:

I hate smoke, especially when I am eating and many smokers have the annoying habit of blowing their smoke away from themselves directly into the non smokers' face.

But I also don't think it should be banned. If a bar allows smokers, I can choose to go in or not. Public places maybe is a different story, only because the smoke does affect me and maybe even my health.

The big issue is employees in places that allow smoke. Who pays when they get cancer? I think that will ultimately be (has been already)the thing that stops most private bars from allowing smoking.

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podborski says on Feb 7, 2007, 10:04:

I hate the health police too though next thing they'll be saying I can't eat at McDonalds, or have ice cream or chocolate. Alcohol? Forget it. Bloody nazis.

God save me from people who are trying to save me.

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Desideria (Moderator) says on Feb 7, 2007, 10:07:

not smokers I've recently given up smoking for good and when in Cali I've always been the odd smoker in the company. All my friends were asking me if I STILL smoked and when I was going to quit, because NONE of them smoked. I'd estimate that two or three in a group of thirty people smoked at parties and social occasions.

Smoking is now( from two years back) prohibited in all pubs, clubs and restaurants in Sweden; the reason being employee's health issues.

Cheers,
Desi

Few things are harder to put up with than the annoyance of a good example.
Mark Twain [Samuel Langhornne Clemens] (1835-1910)

"I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don't always agree with them."-President George W. Bush

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cali373 says on Feb 7, 2007, 10:08:

PARIS!!! somehow I find that hard to believe.

Desi, Ms goody-good smoked? I would never have beleive that unless you admitted it.

Smile if you are a thinker!

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Desideria (Moderator) says on Feb 7, 2007, 10:40:

cali 373 hahaha just cigs, nothing stronger. I'm not totally perfect either. Isn't that a relief?

Cheers,
Desi

Few things are harder to put up with than the annoyance of a good example.
Mark Twain [Samuel Langhornne Clemens] (1835-1910)

"I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don't always agree with them."-President George W. Bush

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bjorn says on Feb 7, 2007, 12:56:

Fortunately, smoking is not very prevailent in Colombia I am currently in Colombia, my fourth time here (first time in 1991) and my impression is definitely the same as Kalder and Desi: not many Colombians smoke. And as a non-smoker myself, I am definitely happy about that.

Bjorn

Bjorn

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morphus says on Feb 7, 2007, 12:59:

I hate smokers. Whenever somebody blows smoke in your face, you have the right to spit in their face.

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southern151 says on Feb 7, 2007, 15:19:

I noticed in Medillin... That smoking was widespread. And, you could smoke almost anywhere. I saw a guy walking through the mall smoking and nearly fell over. Never would that happen in the US. Restaraunts, some had designated areas but most you could smoke anywhere. I am a smoker and choose not to in in restaraunts out of consideration for others. It was very different than what I am used to in the US. In La, you can't smoke anywhere food is served any more. Just started Jan 1, 07. Texas passed another $1 per pack tax this year as well. They are really discouraging smoking here these days. I wonder how long before it hits like that in Colombia?

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panthdave says on Feb 7, 2007, 15:59:

One Day Hope to Quit Smoking Still like to smoke but girlfriend is frowning on it in Medellin. Your right don't see much of Smoking even when Colombians are drinking. My girlfriends Cousin when she drinks sneaks in drags of my cigarette. The rest of the family don't smoke..I think I see more smokers in Miami than Medellin but you can can smoke in more places in Medellin and they tolerate it.



panthdave Miami

panthdave Miami

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utopiacowboy says on Feb 7, 2007, 17:54:

I agree. My impression is that fewer Colombians smoke, probably for economic reasons.

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

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MacGringo says on Feb 8, 2007, 05:18:

I would say that of all Colombians between 20 - 30 years old that I have met, its 50/50.
It's now banned in Scotland and starting in England later this year.

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rolitabella says on Feb 8, 2007, 06:04:

I hate smokers Is so disgusting to smell somebody when smoke, including is too bad for a sex, when I smeled my husband it was enought to say nooo......and Cowboy is not for economic reasons is because people here is very healthy , we love to go a good restaurant with out smell this shit, and eat very special food, very healthy, not shit like there......

So much fat people there no???

Here cant smok in the malls, so much restaurants, and whenever....
And all the cigarretes are disgusting anyway if is cubano etc, etc.... just excusas ...........no?

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podborski says on Feb 8, 2007, 08:35:

lots of fatties in NA, but studies show a higher rate of obesity amongst latinos and blacks vs caucasians.

North Americans are just bigger in general, probably due to a high protein diet composed of meat from growth hormone injected cows and chickens.

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adrimm says on Feb 9, 2007, 11:24:

I can honestly say that I didn't notice the smoking in Bogota this last trip.. which is to say that there can't be much becuase my home-town is pretty devoid of smokers* so I _always) notice it. Also, there aren't alot of smokers among my Colombian relatives - only one cousin out of umpteen smokes, one uncle out if 6 siblings smoked.

I did notice alot more smoking than I expected in Italy back in 2002... there was nothing like walking through a train from the smoking to the non-smoking cars.. Ugh the stench just permeates _everything_.

*When the smoke-free regs were introduced the local restaurant & bar community had fits and tantrums, but in the end I don't think any closed down becuase of it. Many devised "enclosed patios" for smokers to use - and I pity the staff that have to serve patrons in them.

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