Smoke machine

+ Some of the most relaxing moments in my life have been spent with a cigarette in my mouth. At one point it was exactly what I needed to officially chill out: A smoke and a beer while sitting on the back steps of my apartment. You wouldn't have found anyone happier.

+ Last night a woman lit up at the bus stop and I almost gagged when her smoke blew into my face.

+ Safe to say, I've quit smoking for good this time. Since my move I haven't had one ciggie. And one of the main reasons for not giving in is the no smoking law here in Sweden. You can't smoke in any public places, including pubs. The only problem with this: I've been smelling a lot more farts in the bars. I dare you to go sniff around in a city that has a smoking ban.

+ Gross, but true. But these laws are going to save so many lives. I have nothing against smokers; it's just that what you're doing, in public, is 100% harming others. Let's use the term "innocent bystanders".

+ This comes up because Chicago just made a major decision to ban smoking nearly everywhere except pubs. It's pretty weak to only go part way like that in my opinion. But read on. In 2008 that smoking ban will include drinking establishments as well.

+ To everyone that is going to complain about a smoking ban in bars: please don't. Ultimately you'll save yourself and other's health in the process of not smoking as much, or around as many people. And you can still fart as much as you like in public. There's not a law against that, yet.