Business Ideas in Romania

Smoke a tea?

• Posted by Clarisa on November 6th, 2007 filed in Entertainment, Food and beverage, Health and safety

Opportunity: create places for non-smokers

Smoke-free areas are one of the things Bucharest lacks. The rooms for non-smokers are a must for every public place, yet many times they are the hidden rooms in the back, small enclosures similar to public restrooms, or simply rooms where the smoke creeps in from all the rest of the building.

Statistics show, however, that only 48% of adult men and 25% of adult women smoke (statistics from 2000; let us know in the comments if you have newer statistics), and this percentage is decreasing. This is why I think a place where non-smokers can feel welcom is a successful business.

My friends and I recently discovered such a place at Green Tea; here’s what’s special about this place:

• totally smoke-free place, and - very importantly - they use this as a key marketing differentiator. Their flier advertises Green Tea as “the place for non-smokers in Bucharest” and extols the virtues of tea aroma uncorrupted by cigarette smoke.
• tea is prepared in the middle of the main room - this gives guests the opportunity to watch the process, makes the staff easily approachable. This main room is decorated in a very “homey” kitchen atmoshphere.
• an impressive variety of vegetarian food is available, including brusquettes with tofu!
• shelves with well-read books contribute to the home-like atmosphere
• warm ambiance due to jazz and oldie music, decorations and lighting
• the rest of the house is decorated with thematic rooms (Indian, Japanese)

(I also found that drinking green tea daily reduces smoking risk, so drink tea instead of smoking one more cigarette!)

For the moment, there are too few places where you can have quiet and relaxing time, conditions for a business meeting and smoke-free ambiance, so creating a space for people who prefer non-smoking environment would be a a good opportunity.