[faultytowers]

As far as I am aware , a law was brought in at the beginning of the year that any "enclosed air conditioned restaurant" must be no-smoking. The coffee shop at the Expat is now enforcing this rule , and as a smoker I will abide by this decision. But , in an "open-fronted" place I will smoke , not when I am sitting with people having a meal (only polite ) , but after the meal or when having a coffee.

The situation with hotel rooms is different , a lot of places now have "non-smoking" rooms, and I can see that this could be a solution . But where there is no policy in place , I feel it is the responsibility of the hotel to ensure that rooms are properly cleaned and "aired" between guests. As for "allowing" guests to smoke on balconies, firstly this would be difficult to enforce , and secondly , there would be the problem of people smoking in "inappropriate" areas , which could lead to a greater fire risk.

As a smoker, which at this present point in time is perfectly legal , I do find it objectionable that I am treated as a second class citizen/criminal , I would never stay in a hotel with a total no-smoking policy , as some BM's seem to think a good idea. If there is no smoking in room , restaurant , "communal" areas , then where do I go to partake of this legal activity.

I agree that this is a no-win situation , but until a law is brought in making smoking illegal , I will continue to smoke in any area that does not have a specific ban. And if others object to the smell of cigarette smoke in hotel rooms , then they should take the matter up with the hotel and ask they they ensure rooms are cleaned properly. I pay the exact same as non-smokers , and as such have the exact same right to do what I wish in my room.