Nonsmoking buildings in Italy now closer to reality

[lebkuchen]

It may be the beginning of the end of smoking in all buildings other than private residences in Italy.

Last week, anti-smoking legislation went into effect giving venues such as restaurants 12 months to install specific, regulated smoking areas or ban the practice altogether.

http://www.estripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=19756

If you've never been to Europe, smoking is very popular...ashtray on every table, smoke in nearly every restaurant, cigarette vending machines installed on even the remotest neighborhood streets.

If you're a cardiovascular surgeon, you can easily find work in Europe (and Japan).

Europeans are highly educated, but they are still living in the 50's when it comes to smoking. The cigarette is very chic across the pond.

[burrowowl]

1. How come they are still

healthier than we are.
We spend the most on health care and rank 37th. What gives?

[lebkuchen]

3. I'd say the reason is team sports, which is part of the school curriculum

In Germany, vereins (clubs), whether tennis, soccer, swimming etc, are part of the culture, beginning in the school system, and the clubs tend to remain w/the kids into adulthood.

I play tennis at a local verein (my American friend is a member and on a team), and watch the men, women, seniors too, and youth arrive for their lessons w/the club coach. They come every week, like clockwork, and we come to expect to see and greet each other passing to/from the courts. Not being from this culture, I can see where the verein concept not only promotes continued health, but also a team/community/cooperative spirit, even in the heat of competition. You never have to feel alone, either.

Volksmarches are also popular throughout Europe throughout the year. These are hikes that take place in various villages, 5K, 10K, distances, w/a medal or other souvenir handed out at the end.

Fast food/chain restaurants aren't very prevalent, though you can always find a McDonalds somewhere. Europe's restaurants are predominantly family-run businesses, no two being the same, and the quality of food is therefore higher since competition is keen.

Oh, and socialized medicine. :) Everyone is immunized, everyone has access to affordable health care.

[burrowowl]

4. I think so too!

And in France what we sell as ham would be banned as adulterated given the water and chemicals in it. This goes for most food in America, sugar is added as a perservative to keep the Florida sugar growers in money to destroy the Everglades, everything is over salted, I don't know why, they even add sugar to vignegrette, go figure ....

[Cascadian]

6. If things don't change and if Bush gets four more years.....

I am off then! I will be in Europe. America will be a lost cause in my opinion. Dogs won't even be fit to live here.

John

[Cascadian]

5. Less stress in their lives.

Not so much exposed to junk food and constant TV watching like many Americans do. 4 to 6 weeks of paid vacation as well plus their work hours are shorter. Plus a better health care system.

That speaks volumes.


John

[muriel_volestrangler]

7. Universal health care

The US fairs badly in comparisons because there's a significant amount of people not getting proper health care. The wealthy in the US are just as healthy, or more so, than Europeans.

[creativelcro]

2. Finally!!