Well it started in the US and Oz, crept its way across Europe and now the smoking ban is making headway in South America - led by Chile and Argentina. If anything the ban (barely 4 days old here in Argentina) is more draconian here, with most establishments (given the choice, based on the size of the place) are opting to turf us nasty smokers out on the street.

Airport lounges are particularly ill-prepared for the new era, so if you're a smoker and fancy a puff or ten before a long flight, you can forget it in Sao Paolo, Santiago, Buenos Aires... Though as a footnote, anyone travelling One World with lounge access will be gratified to learn that of all places the AAdmirals Club in SCL is the last vestige of filthy puffers.

Thought it'd take a few more years yet for South America to ban the weed...