Thank You For (not) Smoking

Back in 2008, adjacent to my previous apartment, were two big malls. Between the malls was this huge stretch of space for commuters. Somewhere in the middle of this stretch were four long benches arranged to border a smaller space the size of a 10m by 10m square. In the middle hung a sign board reading "Non-smoking Area".

With the World Expo - Shanghai starting in about a month, I see 'No Smoking' Signs everywhere. From apartment lobbies, the streets, the elevators,etc. This was never the case before or years before that. People smoked in the elevators, air conditioned restaurants, you name it; they stood there with a cigarette in hand. Things are changing now and I really hope it lasts. Chain smokers can reduce their smoking with a reason and passive smokers like myself will be able to once again breath in fresh air. :D

After the Expo ends, things may or may not return to how they were. There is a possibility of smoking anywhere and everywhere going into action again. If that happens, I'm betting on the British Research Team who have 24 billion pounds invested in their research of discovering the safe cigarette.