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Q: For all you non smoking expats out there, how are you liking smoke filled China?
Personally I smoke, and here I smoke way more!
I was trying to quit before I got here, but now...not that likely.
I used to feel guilty here when smoking around non smokers (kids etc.), but over time I just started to smoke like the locals do...everywhere...and without guilt!! 
One of the worst downsides to the place. Smoking here is taken to a whole new level.
I hate cigarettes but enjoy cigars everyone now and then. Men smoking doesn't bother me a whole lot unless they're blowing smoke in my face but for some reason I get grossed out when I see a woman smoking. The smell gets in their hair, clothes and breath. Gross. That sounds really unfair but there it is. 
I.absolutely.HATE.it. It's one thing to smoke outside, but in the elevators? In the police station? (Yes I saw this) In the freaking restaurant??? I can't even begin to understand why you would want to eat and smoke at the same time. If people wanna smoke whatever that's their prerogative but when Westerners smoke with no manners or regards for those around them I instantly judge them more than I judge Chinese people doing it. We're from a culture that knows better and therefore they have no excuse.
thedude:
OK fair enough and good point. I am never around expats in China...only Chinese. When I am at a business dinner with 8 people, they always smoke during dinner at different points. If they are all doing it, I figure why can't I? I never smoke in elevators, but I LOVE that I can smoke in my office. But my gf hates my smoking, so she may win eventually!
MrTibbles:
I've seen people smoke in HOSPITALS. I'm a smoker, but I draw the line at certain things. I don't smoke in stores of any kind (especially food markets), elevators, and even some restaurants (unless I'm with a group and smoking is allowed - and even then only if people don't care or are also smokers - I have no problem excusing myself) One thing that kills me though is people who complain about smoking in bars due to health reasons. It's a BAR. A place where people intentionally introduce toxins into their systems to get messed up. Second hand smoke is the least of someone's concerns in that environment.
I hate it! The scariest part is that I don't even think they know how unhealthy it is. I was talking with some of my students about the repercussions of smoking ciggs and they were shocked, as if they've never heard any of it before.
i smoke everywhere now and a lot more the family is Chinese first thing they do as soon as see me is give you ciggie
To a non smoker the smell is terrible. You can smell the smoke as soon as you go out of your apartment. The hallway, the elevator, the downstairs shop, the restaurant. Add that to the already smog filled air and it just isn't nice. When I am in the elevator and a guy gets in with a smoke I tap him on the shoulder and point to the bloody huge No Smoking sign above his head. I get a smile, a 'hello' and he has another puff on his cigarette!!
Having said that I agree about bars. If you are in a bar you have to expect (in China) that people will be smoking.
The situation is much better now than ten years ago, when people would smoke absolutely everywhere, bus, train, cinema, schools, hospitals...
And even in the streets, the number of smokers seems to have noticeably lessen
Seriously, don't just speak. DO SOMETHING POSITIVE, you will see the changes surprising.
Whenever you see ppl smoke in hospital, lift, restaruant,, etc smoke forbidden plcs, just go direct to ask them not smoke there and tell them why they should not do this and they broke the law. PPL changes for good will.
Had anyone tried it ? it will surprise you really! Myself smoke and feel guilty all the time.
