Yippee - Zurich Restaurant Smoking Ban Passes in Vote Today!

You can't imagine how happy we are! Zurich voters today decided to ban smoking in restaurants and cafés here.

Voting on a Sunday??? This sounds weird to this American voter. But Wikipedia's Voting in Switzerland page confirms it: "Voting takes place over the week-end, with emphasis being put on the Sunday. At noon on that day ("Abstimmungssonntag" in German), voting ends." For a country which generally has no stores open on Sundays, this seems odd. But I guess if no stores are open, all the shopworkers can vote. Makes sense. Everyone is available. Indeed, I have seen posts by expats here asking desperately, "What can I do on a Sunday around here?" (maybe try worshipping with a church? :-) Resting? Hiking? Reading? Playing games? I could go on...)

But what my family really wants to know is, WHEN will this decision actually take EFFECT? We await that news with baited (fresh) breath! I can't find any more info on it yet. In the meantime, we thank God for the answer to our prayers. Fresh air, fresh clothes, fresh food, all with no tobacco smoke in them.