Smoking

[hypatia42]

Sad as it sounds, even to me, my most vivid impression of Greece right now is that it is bad for my health. The prevalence of smokers here is such that I have been ill and unable to breathe well for over a week now. Several places we have been there was no escaping it, even in the hotel. I have not needed my rescue inhaler in years. I have used it multiple times a day here in addition to Advair which is supposed to help prevent the need for the rescue inhaler. I do not presume to tell anyone what they can or cannot do with their own bodies. My issue begins when I cannot avoid damage to mine because of the choices of another. Yes, you may decide to smoke. Here, you may decide that *I* smoke.

Armed with this information I may be able to guard myself if we decide to come again. I only hope that the memory of this, like memory of pain, will fade and leave me with the amazing sights I have been blessed with seeing.

Comments

[libwitch.livejournal.com]

Ah yes, we are so dang fortunate to live in a country that have very low smoking rates compared to other countries. Heck, it kills me when I go to states that still allow smoking in restaurants.

(Its gotten to the point now when I walk past people smoking on campus, they are almost always international students. In large numbers. Its such a cultural gap in tobacco use anymore!)

[siriciryon.livejournal.com]

Yeah... this is why I have no objection to chewing tobacco, not more so than any other self-harmful endeavour or habit; there is no form of smoking that doesn't present measurable risk to others.

[sabrinamari.livejournal.com]

And this smoke is not good for the country's antiquities, either!

[sabrinamari.livejournal.com]

I think that anyone who exposes others to second-hand smoke against their will is breaching their civil rights.

[shesqueals.livejournal.com]

Unfortunately, in my experience most of Europe is like this. I remember sitting under a "No Smoking" sign in the Milan airport and having a man come over, sit right next to me and proceed to light up a cigarette.

If you are at all sensitive to smoke (as I am), then traveling in Europe is definitely hazardous to your health.

(*huggs*)