About "Non-smoking sections" in restaurants and cafes

I'm Canadian so this non-smoking issue is a big thing. More spexcifically, I'm from Ontario where it has been illegal to smoke in public places (restaurants, cafews, and even pubs) for more than 10 years now. I guess I've been spoiled. Here in Japan, if you're lucky enough to be at a place where they actually have a separate non-smoking section, then most times it's a "joke" of a separation. At this particular internet establishment, the smoking section is the entire floor below. I think that was bad planning on the management's part because smoke wafts up and through the floor boards and vents. I will actually go home smelling as if I've sucked back a few cigs in the outdoors. But comparatively speaking, this arrangement is actually better than most public places that I've frequented. At some establishments, the non-smoking section is right beside the smoking section and the only thing separating the two sections is a wall of air. Other places have a very thin dividing wall made with rice paper --- or if you're lucky, it will be made of thin bamboo. I've been at one restaurant where there was a piece of glass separating the non-smokwers from the smokers. And these guys were sitting at the same table in the misddle of the room!!! I guess that way, you could still dine with your smoke-inhaling junkie friends and be able to shout at them over the glass pane. When sitting the glass was taller than most people's heads. Needless to say, most of these places are only putting on airs in terms of trying to satisfy the non-smokwer clientele. Let's face it, when there's nothing but air between you and above you, because smoke rises and then comes back down again once it hits the ceiling, you will go home smelling like smoke. And most probably that smell will stick to your clothes like mildew on the bathtiles during the hot, humid Japan summers.

But it's not all horrid stories and establishments like those described above. Some places actually do have adquate separation for smoking and non-smoking patrons. I've visited quite a few of the downtown cafes where an entirely separate and glass-enxcased room full of smokers was visible. Actually, you could see the room, but usually the air within is so incredibly smoky that you couldn't actually see the patrons on the inside. In those situations, you might only be able to glimpse hints of patrons ... a dark suit, a pair of black shoes. So while, the complete separation was a big success, I actually think that maybe they overdid it on the lack of ventilation to the outside world. Basically, at those kinds of closed-off smoking room places, the only time the smoky air gets circulated is when the door opens and closes. Or if people have to get up to use the bathroom. Other than that, I feel really sorry for the smokers in those places. It's like inhaling 2 entire packets of smokes in the 45 minutes that you're having your break. I suppose one way to fix that problem is just to give up smoking altogether. I'm sure big tabacco is hating my blog right now and placing it on a DNP list.

As they say here in Japan, "shoganai ne?" or "it can't be helped". Until someone keels over and dies from actual smoke inhalation or lung cancer from smoke inhalation, it may not become the problem that it was in North America. Right now, I try to only frequent places that have adequate separation, but it's not always possible or fungible given time constraints.

For all you non-smokers out there, here's my personal list of where to go for the best protection from smokers (meaning that you also won't smell of smoke when you get home):
* Tulley's Cafe at Shibuya in front of the Bunkamura building
* Tulley's at Ebisu's East Exit, and down the steps in front of the Starbucks
* Tulley's north and west of the Shinjuku Central West exit on the main street
* Gran's Internet Cafe, Shibuya
* Dean and Deluca, Shinagawa station