Germany is one of the last european countries to ban smoking. And it's not one general law, but each of the 16 states ("Bundesländer") made it's own law and all are different. In addition there is a federal law which bans smoking from all federal buildings and public transport. The federal law came into effect today (September 1st, 2007), some state laws started a month ago, some will take longer.

In North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) the "non-smoker protection law" (Nichtraucherschutzgesetz) will be in effect on January 1st, 2008. It forbids smoking in all public buildings, schools, hospitals, pubs, restaurants, public transports and recreation facilites. However, there are some exceptions, one of them allows smoking in "private smoking clubs" and I've already seen a sign at a small pub saying "From 1.1.2008 smoking club". But I doubt that this is an easy way out, and not many pubs will go this route. Most of them will probably see no or positive effects on their revenue, as in other european countries.

Fortunately at Swyx we have a smoke-free building. All tobacco addicts have to satisfy their addiction outside of the building.  

In Germany over 3000 people die each year from second-hand smoking. That would be reason enough to ban smoking nation-wide without exceptions years ago, but Germany has a tremendously powerful tobacco lobby. The hotel and restaurant lobby is not quiet either. And together they did a great job in the past, unfortunately.

I can't wait to have a meal at my favourite italian restaurant without being pestered by tobacco smoke from the neighbouring table.