Where can I go as a smoker

[Ohnohelphelpehlp]

Hi, can I still travel abroad and smoke? Are there countries where it is not allowed? I mean smoking outside specifically - I'm not after indoor smoking. I want to go on holiday and would like some advice please as I am scared about going abroad as a smoker, I don't know if that's crazy but would really like some non-judgemental advice if possible. Looking to travel from London to Europe ideally.

In the last couple of years I've been to Spain, Portugal and Cyprus and the smokers were very much puffing away.

One of the hotels in Spain didn't allow smoking on sunbeds around the pool, but they had smoking areas nearby.

Thank you twatty! I've not been abroad for 10 years as I had a drug addiction. Over two years clean from the drugs but still smoke and I've worked myself into a panic about travelling as a smoker.

Congratulations on the 2 years clean. I tend to watch other people when I first arrive, to see whereabouts they're smoking, then go and join them 🤣

Thank you running. Are there any countries it's completely banned or am I ok to just book somewhere and see what happens? I think I'm a bit scared of travelling full stop, it's been so long!

Smoking doesn't seem to be as frowned upon in many European countries as it is here.

Lots of airports even have smoking areas after you've gone through security.

I think across Europe you’ll be absolutely fine, it’s far more acceptable in European counties (I’d say Italy and France specifically) than elsewhere in the world.

I'm not sure if it's completely banned anywhere tbh, but I'm sure someone here will know. Book the holiday, you will have a great time, but as a PP said, Europe are definitely more lenient

France loads smoking, same Portugal, Croatia, Italy. I don't think you can in Barcelona or any of the canaries Islands but other parts of Spain fine.

Phew, have been thinking maybe Italy or France. I did a Google about smoking laws and got scared. Am probably over worrying, it's just been so long, I've barely left my town let alone the country.

Oh and Greece .. loads smoking there when I was there last year

Thank you so much. Really appreciate the replies. I've been working myself up into a right state over this. I want to take my dd on holiday, and enjoy it myself if I can. Don't know why it makes me feel such a panic.

Germany's very permissive on tobacco (and has low taxes on cigarettes). Austria and Switzerland are clean-air paragons. The Netherlands has been clamping down on smoking, and it's becoming socially unacceptable there. You should definitely be okay in Greece, Italy and most of France. Spain, I think, is patchy.

I'm guessing that resort hotels with a large British market would be trying to be smoke-free? I was considering going to North Africa because they wouldn't care 😂

It's funny. When I was younger/ before my issues, I had a big group of Spanish friends and they all smoked, it seemed very common over there. It's strange to imagine Spain being more anti-smoking than Germany.

Cyprus and Greece actively encourages it by having ashtrays on the tables.

If you really want to fit in with the crowd though head to Turkey 'smokes like a Turk' definitely still applies!

Avoid USA unless you do your research first as some places have totally banned it.

Anywhere is Europe that has tourists will fine. If you're worried pick a destination then ask specifically.

Well done on kicking the drugs, you're awesome x

You won't have an issue in Germany, still plenty of used ashtrays on cafe tables outside.

We saw plenty of smoker in Rhodes.

Lots of people smoke in Greece. They allow it on outside terraces of restaurants etc. some hotels will let you smoke on sun beds, others will have smoking areas. You can usually smoke on your balcony.

A couple of years ago we went on a boat trip and loads of Italian teenagers were smoking on the boat. That was a bit much as they were literally chain smoking. Others smokes a bit too but no where near as much, not enough to actually be offensive.

Most EU countries have higher smoking rates than the uk. Most hotel rooms are non-smoking now for obvious reasons, and around swimming pools it would be a bit anti-social. I've lived in a couple of different EU countries and it's normal to ask for an ash tray on a terrace, but they won't necessarily bring one out automatically unless you ask. That means you can also ask if it's ok. No one will be offended!

Would a backup vape help you? They're acceptable pretty much everywhere and might avoid a panic!

I did think a back up vape might be good. I will probably bring one x

There were lots of smokers when we went to Gran Canaria last year - it was the first place for ages where it felt like you could always smell cigarette smoke. Plus cigs/tobacco are cheap in the Canaries so you'll be able to stock up (a limited amount). The flight is a long time to go without a fag though.

I think Turkey?

Egypt. Recently stayed in a 5* and ask the outside tables had ashtrays

Smoking is banned on beaches in Ibiza, not sure about the other islands.

I recently returned from Egypt and there was smoking everywhere! As a non-smoker it was horrendous

Just to say that vaping and ecigs are highly illegal in certain countries like Mexico and Thailand. You get searched at the airport and heavily fined if you try to bring them in the country.