Everybody smokes in Europe !

Another culture shock coming from LA to Belgium: everybody in Europe seems to smoke! I'm sitting on the corner of the Groenplaats and it seems like I can't see anyone not smoking like 10 packs of cigarettes a day. Everywhere I go, nicotine fumes waft up my nostrils. Sometimes I feel like I'm suffocating on the spot.

Right now, I'm enjoying a VERY small diet coke, no ice, for 2 VERY expensive euro's and there are 4 teens smoking their brains out, blowing processed nicotine my way. I feel like saying something, but there's a smoker's posse occupying the tables outside, as in, EVERY SOUL sitting outside is smoking. I'd probably unleash a smoker's revolution if I stood up and make a comment about it. Oh yeah, for the smart asses in the crowd: no, I'm will not be forced to go and sit in the 'Smoking only' section. ;)

But it's not just here; I realized that a lot of my friends still smoke; when we go out, lighting a cigarette is the first thing they do. And it's not that I mind people smoking, I mind the smoke that they don't keep to themselves, I hate the smell of ash tray in my clothes after a good night out.

Smoking is NOT cool. Smoking is NOT a social thing, if you quit smoking, you won't quit socializing, trust me.

Europe, stop smoking ! Not only the air, but also the streets will be clean again.. And best of all, everybody will be able to enjoy an expensive diet Coke on a sunny afternoon.