Smoking Rates Almost 10% Higher in Switzerland.

In a country almost obsessed with environmental and personal health, it's odd that smoking still is so popular in Switzerland.

Although rates have declined since the peak in the mid-70's,  32% of males and 26% of females still smoke in Switzerland.  The numbers for Canada, based on the latest Statistics Canada figure are 23% for males and 18% for females.   While those percentage increases are 9 and 8 per cent, it seems like it's even higher.

Restaurants have only recently instituted smoking and non-smoking sections.  A Canadian realizes how fruitless that exercise is after years of non-smoking in eating areas.

Buses and trains are smoke free.  Airports now have smoking rooms.

Smokers outside a restaurant in Winterthur, Switzerland.

The loose smoking restrictions are a contrast to rules on other things Swiss put into their bodies.  There are much more strict restrictions on what is fed to animals that become meat.