Smoking Now... Confusing in Paris

Think of Paris and many images pop up -- the Eiffel Tower by night, long loaves of bread, an old gent holding a cigarette between two fingers, smoke curling around his very Parisian cap... Oh, wait -- should we scratch that last one?

As of February 1, smoking is illegal in offices and public buildings in Paris (bars and restaurants have a one year grace period before the ban hits), although some, like About's Paris expert, Courtney Traub, say the ban may not be especially monumental. Meantime, the European Commission is proposing banning public smoking across the EU by 2009, including Eastern Europe, one of the last bastions of brazen public puffing.

• About's Guide to Paris: No More Butts.. Sort Of
• About's Guide to Eastern Europe: Smoking Bans in Eastern Europe?
• Smoking Laws Around the World

What else can you do and *not* do around the world?

• Countries banning cell phone use in cars
• Drinking ages around the world
• Countries blocking VoIP

Related: Free Things to Do in Paris | Top Paris Hostels | Backpacking Europe 101 | Paris for Spring Break?

Photo: Kathleen Crislip