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Published on April 11, 2008

As I searched the wire agencies for related stories, I came across one by the Guardian News Service.

Written by Neil Clark in London, it is about destinations where smokers can go on holidays - places where they are warmly welcomed and not treated as second-class citizens.

In the land of legendary pubs on every corner, London in particular was a haven for smokers. But as in Bangkok and many other places, they are now limited to designated areas. Smokers can be fined for puffing inside a pub.

Due to its very own smoking ban, France, yet another one-time smoker's paradise, is now off limits. So too are Ireland, Italy, Scandinavia and most of Germany. And from July 1, we can also forget about lighting up in most enclosed public places in the Netherlands.

Clark began his story in a very interesting way: "The potential European holiday destinations for die-hard British puffers looking to escape the draconian smoking ban - if only for a few days - are dwindling in number."

Yet, he said, some smoky oases remain. In Belgium, less than two hours away from central London by Eurostar, smoking is still allowed in bars and cafes. Indeed, it is home to several specialist smokers' clubs - including the Tabaco in Hasselt, which holds regular get-togethers for female cigar smokers.

Spain, too, remains smoker-friendly, while soccer-loving smokers planning a trip to Euro 2008 are also in luck: the tournament is being held in two of the least tobacco-phobic countries on the continent. In Switzerland, only the canton of Ticino has thus far imposed a ban, while Austria boasts the highest level of public opposition to a smoking ban in the EU. Central and eastern Europe also remain largely unconquered territory.

Clark said that "smoking tourism", though in its infancy, is a sector of the travel industry that seems certain to grow.

In Germany, entrepreneur Alexander W Schoppmann is planning "Smokers' International Airways" (Smintair) for those who miss their on-flight nicotine fix. One of the biggest travel agencies in Japan is offering European tours specially designed for smokers. Estonia, meanwhile, offers short breaks for cigar smokers to enjoy their hobby in the comfort of the cigar lounges of Tallinn. It's an initiative that is likely to be followed by other countries that haven't adopted the British-style ban.

I don't know if Cambodia and Laos have imposed a smoking ban yet.

If not, would anyone out there be interested in starting a smoking tour package?

I think it would attract Thai smokers, even if they will have to travel alone with a bag loaded with cigarettes.

Achara Deboonme

achara_d@nationgroup.com

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