What are the "smoking & drinking laws" in Europe?

Question

(age to drink/how long is beer & alcohol sold/ where can you drink legally/etc....where & where can't you smoke, (I live in Utah & smoking & drinking is only legal in the bars/clubs/etc.)

Answer 1

It depends a lot on the country you are in. Furthermore there might be a significant gap between what is legal and what is enforced (and hence followed by the locals).

Smoking laws in general are becoming more strict every year, banning advertising, banning smoking in public spaces, banning smoking on the work floor, banning smoking in restaurants, ...
It is not yet there, but it is evolving in that direction and the exact position of each country on that path is going to be different.

Smoking laws are also often not followed. E.g. In Belgium smoking has been forbidden for a long while in restaurants unless the smoking area covered less than a percentage of the surface of the restaurant, was separated from the rest of the restaurant and had a ventilation system to clear out the smoke. Yet, last weekend a restaurant I was at was 100% smoking area, selling cigars and had no ventilation to speak of. Luckily none of the customers were smoking while I was there.

As far as how to behave: do as the locals is a good way no matter where in the world you are.

Generally in a restaurant displaying no special signs, I'd check for ashtrays, if you got one, chances are it's OK for you to light that cigarette, if not, you'd might want to wait. Take extra care with cigars and or pipes, their more potent smell is going to get reactions of the rest of the people more easily.

In general in Europe, the drinking laws are much more relaxed than in the US. You will not get a paper bag to hide alcohol you buy in a supermarket, there's no need to hide it. Drinking on the streets will be frowned upon and might lead to officials intervening (especially if you appear to be drunk).

I've never witnessed or been asked to proof my age to buy alcohol or to enter a place serving alcohol anywhere in Europe. I've never seen a (young) store attendant ask a (older) colleague to ring up a bottle of wine I purchased. (I could not believe it when it happened in the US).
I've been in pubs as a kid with and without supervision and never got to proof my age to get whatever I wanted. [Not that I ever tried to get liquor]. Places where I live that have a minimum age to enter are offering things not suited for children to see or experience beyond food and drink.

Answer 2

I know it's amazing isn't it? I can relate though. My step mom would smoke joints and drive late at night without any trouble. But there was one incident during the day. She was at a stop light, behind another car, and "accidentally" hit the gas and lightly bumped the person in front. Not much harm was done though. But yeah, it's like they're on auto-pilot or something. It's still dangerous though, both legally and health-wise.

Answer 3

Switzerland here:
16 for beer, wine, and cigarettes
18 for hard liquor

You can drink but no longer smoke on the trains.
As far as I know you can drink & smoke in parks and whatnot.
A few restaurants are non-smoking but not many.
I have seen people smoke while skiing.

Answer 4

some bars in britian are non smoking....next year will be a total bann...you can drink in bars at 18..but will serve anyone that look slike 18..thoe you might have to show ID...ireland is totally no smoking in bars...but they will serve anyone...even if you dont look 18...iv been to a few places in europe...they are very relaxed..just behave...the police arnt so relaxed!

Answer 5

i know in germany you have to be 16 to drink beer, and usually 18 for hard liqour. i think the same in amsterdam, i was recently there and i never had to show id for anything, and in europe they smoke everywhere!