HONG KONG

Not much to say here yet. A Hong Kong resident says all restaurants are required to have a no-smoking "area". There may be a future ban on smoking entirely in restaurants, but not yet. Cinemas are supposed to be smoke-free, as are most *public* places. Our Hong Kong contributor reminds us that they still have to deal with the ever-worsing air quality due to vehicles!

KOREA

A Korean colleague says that, as in Japan, there are newish, but unevenly enforced laws meant to protect nonsmokers in public places. Most restaurants have non-smoking "areas" (i.e., no real separation). Men tend to smoke more than women; old people tend to smoke more than young; but interestingly, it is considered rude to light up in the presence of an older person.

P. R. CHINA

A Chinese colleague says there is a new law prohibiting smoking in most public places (airports, theaters, stores, hotels). In fact, enforcement is uneven - a non-smoking sign in a smaller city may not mean anything. In Shanghai and Beijing, they are more apt to mean business. All this pales, of course, in comparison to the overall air pollution. Meanwhile, most three-star+ hotels are considered good bets for nonsmokers, but only in the guest rooms.

BEIJING

SINGAPORE

Smoking is forbidden in most public places (but then so are lots of other things), and there is a hefty fine. You can reportedly smoke at food stalls on the street - but don't drop the butt on the street! - and in cabs. There is a heavy duty on cigarettes. Restaurants and stores with air conditioning do not allow smoking. Bars and discos do allow smoking. Singapore Moslems generally do not encourage smoking at home, Indian women mostly don't smoke, nor do Sikhs, for religious reasons.

SINGAPORE CITY

Yhingthai Palace Restaurant
36 Purvis Street #01-04     tel 3371161, 3379429
Authentic Thai and Thai-Chinese cuisine.
11:30am-14:30pm and 18:30-20:00pm
thanks Noel Lee!

Cross Straits of China Restaurant
Cuppage Terrace (Somerset Road)

Snack World Restaurant
Cuppage Terrace (Somerset Road)

Smoking is allowed anywhere except for government buildings and big department stores. Most restaurants offer non-smoking "areas".
Thanks Joe!

TAIPEI