Which has more smokers...Bellingham or Olympia? (Seattle, Bellevue: rent, how much)

[ssouina]

I am a Seattlite considering moving to Olympia or Bellingham. A friend just moved from Seattle to Olympia and she is shocked by how much more smoking there seems to be in Olympia. Any info on smoking in these areas would be appreciated. Even the smell of cigarette smoke on a person's hair can be a migraine trigger for me. So, being around as few smokers as possible is VERY important. Also, if anyone can add any info on smoking in Alaska, since Anchorage is also a consideration, I would appreciate it. TIA:^)

[Baldy]

There aren't too many smokers in Bellingham and since the statewide ban, it's getting better.

How do you move around so easily? Do you rent houses? Do you have pets? Kids? I would love to move out of town, but can't seem to do it as easily as some. What's the secret?

[desertquilter]

Hi, I lived in Olympia for 17 years. I moved in 1998, but I noticed while living there that there were more smokers there than any place I had ever lived before. Since it rains so much and the smokers are banned from smoking in buildings, they would all huddle right next to the entrances of buildings and puff their lungs away. I had young children then, and I hated to be around smokers. Also since Olympia is the state capitol, I think state and city workers tend to smoke more? I hate to stereotype people, but when I moved to WA state from southern CA, I noticed way more smokers and obese/overweight people. All the rain WA gets makes people stay indoors most of the year and maybe that's why?

No matter where you live, you'll have to deal with smokers, unfortunately.

[KidBlue]

I don't think it's the government. I work in Sacramento, CA and in my office (state gov) of 42 people there is only one smoker. But the cold and wet theory may still be a good one, since it's warm and dry here......

[Snootylooter]

My teens were shocked and amazed at the number of older folks, smokers, and overweight/obese people in SW Michigan, as compared to Denver and Seattle. On a trip to Bellevue Mall, after being in Kalamazoo for a year, they were walking around stunned at all the fit, young, people in Bellevue. Needless to say, they will be pleased when we leave Kazoo, on that score.

[Sandy Nelson]

I just had a friend visit from Florida, who commented on the amount of people who smoke here in Olympia. Now that she pointed it out, I notice it more frequently, especially in down town Olympia.

Sandy

[Screenial]

I haven't spent much time in Olympia, but Bellingham definitely is not a smoker city. I thought California was the nonsmoking state, but when I moved there from Bellingham, I noticed much more smokers here compared to Bellingham. You are practically an outcast smoking in Bellingham.