open letter to our fellow passengers

[luv2cruz_74]

Those hand waving, cough coughing folks are just being childish if you are in the designated smoking area. If the cruiseline says you can smoke, you can smoke. We should leave you alone, you have enough troubles as is.

 

I completely agree. I am a non-smoker and would never act in such a manner. It is disrepectful and childish. If I am in a designated smoking area and I don't like the smoke I am breathing in, I MOVE AWAY. Simple, isn't it?

[Redsgj]

I will admit that I am a fairly "fanatical" non-smoker (never taken even one puff in my life! :eek: ). That said, it seems to me that all you needed to do was calmly point out to these people that "you were sorry the smoke was bothering them but this was the designated smoking section." There's not much they could say after that.

 

P.S. I would also hope that you would consider quitting. You said you wanted to "direct our energy toward our fellow humans that need help, like the elderly and homeless." There are too few people in the world who think like this and we need those who do to stick around as long as possible!

[bjkTX]

I have no issue with anyone smoking in a designated smoking area (even though like many others it amazes me that people still smoke) - as long as they don't wear jeans on formal night!

[Mur-cruiser]

I can remember years ago when they had smoking areas in resturants and non-smokers would take first available for seating. Naturally, they got seated in the smoking section and complained loudly about the smoke. As a smoker(trying to be a former smoker), I try to be considerate of those around me, but if you are in my designated area then that's your problem. Even in the casino, I ask if the person next to me minds if I light up. Can you imagine if you saw a hugely obese person filling up on food and making loud comments about them. No one with any common sense would do that.

We know smoking is not good for you, but it's real hard to give it up.

[Dreamer333]

We found people every time in the smoking sections, that did not smoke and acted offended and agressive toward us, and maybe thought that that dish was for candy and seemed to have a great time, waving the air, and covering their faces,and make nasty comments so we would hear them. And we did, and were hurt by them.

 

I'm sorry you were treated so rudely.

 

My only advice to you is to simply ignore them. If the smoke was really bothering them that bad, then they simply had to get up and walk to a non-smoking area. As it has been pointed out many times, there are PLENTY of non-smoking areas on the ship.

 

The type of behavior you described is obnoxious. Just let it roll of your back... it's their problem, not yours.

[Druke I]

I quit smoking some 15 years ago - but while I was a smoker, I did run into many rude non-smokers, as described by OP.

 

It is an unfortunate fact of life - there are rude people about. Ignoring them sometimes is very difficult.

[kakalina]

I completely agree with the OP. It seems that the smoker has become the "new black man". If the non smoking fanatic are so right can they explain why the non smoking cruises had to close down due to lack of paying customers? We have rights too. As another poster mentioned drunks kill a heck of alot more people than smokers do! Clean up the emissions and dangerous, polluting gases in the air and then I might consider doing my part to clean the air.

[KAJOKG]

When I am in a smoking area, I do not complain. BUT, I do wave my hand in front of my face and cover my nose and mouth because I am highly allergic to tobacco smoke...and I do like to breathe. So, I am not making a nasty comment, I am just protecting myself until I am out of the smoking area. Sometimes it's not possible to avoid the area and we have to walk through, so I take precautions to make sure I don't breathe in the smoke. Smokers who object to this sort of action should take heed and know that it is self protection, not being nasty.

[Pam in CA]

I'm a non-smoker who is allergic to smoke and finds it very offensive. I'm also thankful that I live and work in a town where smoking has been banned in public buildings for years.

 

However, my views aside, if you're in a designated area to smoke, it's not up to me to criticize or object to your smoking. I may not like it but you have that right.

[Coral]

However, my views aside, if you're in a designated area to smoke, it's not up to me to criticize or object to your smoking. I may not like it but you have that right.

 

This is correct. Unfortunately - on the ships I have been on, people pick the ashtrays up and go to non-smoking areas. I do my best to avoid smoking areas but people smoke inside near the elevators and on the non-smoking sides.

[Pam in CA]

This is correct. Unfortunately - on the ships I have been on, people pick the ashtrays up and go to non-smoking areas. I do my best to avoid smoking areas but people smoke inside near the elevators and on the non-smoking sides.

Coral... I agree. On some ships, you have to go through the casino to get to someplace else. That really bothers me. I just hold my breath and hope my clothing doesn't get smelly. If someone is smoking near the elevators, I move away and take another elevator, if necessary.

 

Like others, I cough involuntarily and tend to wave my hand in front of my face to ward off smoke from my face. This is defensive and I can't control the coughing. It's not meant to be rude or obnoxious.

[bjkTX]

I have to add one quick story to this no-win thread.

 

When I was in the military, and they were just about to change the rules on smoking (in buildings), I was in the wrong place at the wrong time and was tasked to send out a smoking survey to the 1,200 people that worked in my command. As you can imagine the comments from smokers and non-smokers were very heated at times - some even questioned my family status.

 

But the best one I received back, and one I presented in an update slide show to the commanding general in the weekly update, was a survey I received back with absolutely no comments on it - just a burn hole in the middle of it :-)

[bdjam]

It is unfortunate, but they feel stongly enough they will comment even when the smoker is complying. It is their statement about the habit and it's effect on others.

I don’t agree with that. It may be a statement but it has nothing to do with the habit and its affect on others. In most cases the statements made are rude and boorish. If people were really concerned they would approach the situation differently. Face it – smokers are open targets and people take advantage of that.

[crazy4themouse]

I think what amazes me most here, is all the people who just HAVE to chime in and say things like "You should really try and quit." Wow, really? You mean, it's bad for us? We *know* that... but as someone said, it's difficult. To put it in the description of scientists, they now know it is more addictive than heroine. The point is, WHY do you fanatcial non-smokers always feel the need to PREACH?!?

 

I'm not even going to begin to defend the people who pick up ashtrays and move them to non-smoking areas, or just plain smoke where they're not supposed to. But if there are smokers smoking where they are allowed to, and you don't like it, then YOU are in the wrong place.

 

At Walt Disney World, the designated smoking areas are always extremely tucked away. You have to go down a path, behind buildings, I'm talking very out of the way and not on the beaten path. Lots of "smoking area" signs, big ashtrays, etc. But without fail, there was always some non-smoker who had ignored all the 8 gazillion other benches and wandered off to find this smoking area, and just HAD to sit there... and then they would glare at the smokers the whole time and mutter under their breath.

 

Except for a nightclub or a casino, I NEVER smoke inside. I have never once smoked inside my house. I do not ever smoke around my son. I carry little disposable ashtrays in case there isn't one, so I don't throw my butt on the ground. I always smoke in a designated area, no matter how far they have tucked us away.

 

I am NOT a pariah, or a heathen, or a criminal. Find another cause, PLEASE... I'm begging you.

 

-gina-

[srussell]

My husband and I were recently on the Caribbean Princess. We are both smokers. We followed all the rules pertaining to smoking and non-smoking areas. While many were wondering around trying to find a seat we never had any trouble finding a seat in the smoking sections of various decks.

 

We were also recently in Punta Cana. This is a mostly European destination and there were really no designated non-smoking sections. Everyone and I mean everyone smoked everywhere.

 

Funny story...as our plane was landing at the airport the captain made an announcement that we were not allowed to smoke outside we had to please wait until we got into the airport!!!

 

I would like to be an ex-smoker, have tried several times but as with any drug addiction it is very hard to quit. It's a disease I don't have any control over. Hey, the disease concept has worked for alcoholics for years why not smokers?

[RBCal]

I doubt that the non-smokers were objecting to you smoking. The looks smokers get are usually more of pity and disgust at how unattractive they look when they smoke.

[crazy4themouse]

I doubt that the non-smokers were objecting to you smoking. The looks smokers get are usually more of pity and disgust at how unattractive they look when they smoke.

 

 

Yes, and I'm sure you're just a wonder to behold. :rolleyes:

[crazy4themouse]

Double post, sorry

[jbrambach]

Yes, and I'm sure you're just a wonder to behold. :rolleyes:

LOL

 

It is a persons right to smoke, and if they are in the smoking areas, great. But as an other poster said, sometimes you have to walk through these places to get to another part of the ship which can be annoying, but this is not the smokers fault as they are following the rules. Maybe these smoking areas should be changed to non-smoking area so this way no one would be inhaling 2nd hand smoke or enduring rude comments.

[fllady]

To OP, try Sea princess. We just got back from 14 day cruise and now the majority is Brits. Great bunch of fun, friendly, people, and they smoke. I am not being a smart a**, I am speaking from the heart. I know how you feel, I see it done to my DH at times, and if you are in the smoking section smoke away. Today almost everyone seems to complain about something. Life is too short so enjoy and the h*ll with them.

[Askem]

Hi Jeanne,

 

All I have to say is YOU GO GIRL!!!

 

By the way, have you checked our Sea roll call? Sean is offering photos of your infamous "Dance of Death" to the highest bidder. lol

 

Take care and say hi to Ellis for me. Enjoyed crusing with you and all the cc members on our roll call.

 

Carole

[billeelou]

how about I sit next to you and fart? I only eat sweet smelling fruits and Vegetables, prime cuts of meat and sugary sweets...Why would you be offended??:confused:

 

It may be legal, it may be "cool", it may be alright in some areas...but I don't mind if you smoke , if you don't mind if I Fart....:eek:

[srussell]

Have you ever stopped to think that scientists and the medical profession like to blame almost every disease on smoking or second hand smoke because they don't really know why so many children are getting sick? Or why so many couples are infertile or why people are getting sicker in general? Can it all really be blamed on smoking?

 

I have a theory that while smoking as we all know is bad for your health I believe that all the preservatives that are added to our food is why our society in general is not as healthy as it used to be. Can it really be healthy for us to eat food that will stay good in a can for years and years?

 

Our ancestors did not ingest preservatives in such quanity as we do today and I'm sure most of you have relatives that lived to be 90+ years old. They smoked, ate all the "wrong" foods, drank, etc. They did however eat mainly fresh food, not food that had been processed years ago.

 

I know the topic is smoking, but with so many people in our society now that have quit smoking or never started why are we getting sicker?

 

I didn't mean to even post on this subject (I smoke) but after reading so many opinions on smoking vs non smoking I just thought I would add my thoughts.

[marlinmike]

I’ve been trying to quit smoking for 5 years and have been successful so far. I think there will always be non-smokers who are inconsiderate of smokers just like there will always be smokers who are inconsiderate of non-smokers. Heck, there are even people that pay to go on cruises and then try to find things to complain about :)

[cloveygrl]

Ignore these people, they shouldn't bother you. It is politically correct to dislike smoking and it's gotten so out of control that 1 human being can openly make a comment about another human being in public - and we as a society ACCEPT this behaviour.

 

 

Well most personally harmfull vices don't kill other people. That is a huge distinction between smoking and other behaviors. If fat people could transfer fat to others in the same room all the heath consequenses associated I wonder how you would feel about them being anywhere near you? Even in a "fat person area" which you perhaps passed through.

 

to the original poster:

While I don't think its right to be upset with someone who is smoking in a clearly marked smoking area - you have to understand the opposite view. Often non-smokers are subjected to smoke whether they want to be or not. There really are no smoking and non-smoking areas - if you are in a bar or restaurant with a smoking section you are inhaling it.

 

From what I've read on these boards many smokers tend to completely ignore the smoking rules on ships so this combined with the lack of truley smoke free environments - you could see how this anger could be transfered to smokers in general.

 

I for one am a little worried about smoking on the cruise I'm going on. I've stayed in "non-smoking" rooms that have made my sick. I'm hoping all the smokers onboard are as considerate as you and I will keep in mind if I accidentially wonder into a cloud of smoke in a smoking section that I should smile and keep walking. :)