Why Moscow is the place to be for smokers

Moscow Chronicles, Jacob Icia

In Moscow, residents throw caution to the wind when it comes to smoking.

The last time I checked in Nairobi, cigarette smokers have to find a smoking zone to quench their thirst.

In fact, I have a friend who I consider my senior whose love for cigar is close to addiction!

So last month, before I flew to Moscow for the FIFA World Cup coverage, I was with him alongTom Mboya Street and he couldn’t hold it any more.

“I’m too thirsty man, let’s hurry to the Bus Station…”  I’ve always laughed at him when he is dying for a puff, as I’ve never considered it helpful or joyous whatsoever!

Just to ‘punish’ him, I suggested we head to the Jevanjee smoking zone, and he almost got angry with me.

Moscow his place

However here in Moscow, from what I’ve observed so far, life would be much easier for him, as there are no restrictions for smokers!

In fact, at one point I got offended by a group of five ladies who were smoking as if they were competing, while watching us prepare for a Citizen TV Nipashe News live link at the Moscow FIFA Fan Fest.

Just from nowhere they stop appearing intrigued by what we were doing, but like powerful chimneys they spray us with their irritating smoke.

I had to react though intelligently to express my frustration, fearing to be choked live on TV.

The experience left me wondering why the local authorities have not seen the need to regulate smoking behavior.

“Sometimes back they barred people from smoking in restaurants but it’s like people have not embraced it. In the streets no one cares, and you realise unlike Kenya where rarely do ladies smoke in public, here it is not a norm,” a Kenyan working in Moscow explained to me.

Interestingly, cigarette packets here have more shouting disclaimers that it kills, but caution is thrown to the wind! What a world we live in!