The popularity of the Smoking Shelter

As more and more countries and states introduce smoking bans in enclosed public areas, smokers have found themselves ousted and in need of a place to go. It is not uncommon to see groups of smokers huddling outside doorways, or in designated smoking areas puffing away. However, on rainy, windy days smoking outside is a somewhat impractical and unattractive prospect. This is where the humble smoking shelter comes into play.

Smoking shelters have always been lurking around on office grounds here and there, but with many office blocks and places of work actually having smoking rooms they were greatly unused. With the introduction of smoking bans, smoking rooms were closed down and smoking shelters were suddenly the place to be. There are now hundreds of companies offering all sorts of smoking shelters, big, small, portable - with seats, without seat, with built-in ashtrays and butt bins, the possiblities are endless. It seems the smoking bans have created a whole new industry. Of course there are regulations that need to be complied with, and these vary from country to country, state to state.

A smoking shelter is generally easy to put up, and depending on the type and size shouldn't take more than a day to get done.  There are many companies offering next day installations, and prices are now very reasonable thanks to the level of competition.  If you are looking for something in particular to fit in with office grounds then think about requesting some catalogues so you can get an idea of what is on offer and the type of price range you would be looking at.

Smoking bans were brought in with the aim of protetcting non-smokers from second hand smoke, which is highly toxic. Exposure to second-hand smoke can increase a non-smokers risk of getting lung cancer by 24% and heart disease by 25%, and it isn't just the smoke you can see that is harmful, 85% of second-hand smoke is invisible and odorless.  It was thought that by banning smoking in enlosed public places it would make them a much more pleasant and healthier atmosphere for non-smokers and for the people working there who had no choice about being exposed to second-hand smoke.  It was also hoped that by making it more difficult for people to smoke, it may encourage people to give up smoking altogether. However this hasn't been the case in many places, with smokers just converging together under smoking shelters or in doorways to get their fix.

It seems now the smoking shelter is often the place to be, where all the gossip gets shared and the days bitching takes place, with non-smokers missing out on all the action. It has to be said though, taking up smoking just to get the days gossip is a little bit extreme!