Our One and Only Real Complaint – THE SMOKE

We have only one real complaint about Italy – the smoking. The myth/notion that everyone is still smoking in Europe appears to be true. While smoking is not allowed in public buildings like the police station, immigration office and secretary of state (all of which we have spent a bunch of time waiting in line at), it is ever present everywhere else! Even at Gardaland, standing in line and walking away from the rides/attractions was an opportunity to smoke incessantly while holding the tugging hand of your 5 year old or pushing a stroller. Nick has asked for an air mask to wear on the street because honestly, it feels like we are always in the “line of fire” for second hand smoke – walking, eating, shopping, sitting in cafes. Have they not heard that it is not only unhealthy, but politically incorrect to smoke? Especially in the presence of your own or other’s children? And, that smoking should be confined to your own backyard while you are sitting around with your friends or in dark, crowded bars when you are on your third beer? Is that why everyone here is so thin? I know from my research that obesity rates in Italy are about a third of the U.S. and it easily observable how slender the Italians (and French) are compared to the Brits and Germans at Gardaland. More importantly, why are the Europeans numbers on health status and longevity so much better than the U.S.? (Maybe it is healthier to be skinny and smoke than an overweight nonsmoker?) It seems like Sam’s asthma has been acting up because he has been coughing a lot. Is there some pollen/plant allergen or is it all the smoke? Will we all have our lives reduced by 4.8 days from being exposed to second hand smoke for this year? Will I decide to start smoking again?
I checked on the stats and the daily smoking rate in Italy is 24% of adults versus 18% in the U.S. The fact that it feels much higher could be attributable to any number of reasons. We are essentially in a college town with a higher proportion of 20-somethings people who will eventually quit smoking once they graduate, become parents, etc. Smoking may be more socially acceptable in Europe and/or people may feel more compelled to “hide” it in the U.S. I know that I have been to a number of parties where new friends/acquaintances have lit up away from the watchful public eye or their children when I had not idea they smoked.

So if you plan to visit, be forewarned or fore-“cheered,” there appears to be little shame or public censure of cigarette smoke.