open letter to our fellow passengers

[jimbug]

I admit that I haven't read all 5 pages of this post, but something in the first couple of pages really struck me and I feel the need to comment. I keep seeing smokers being compared to obese people. There's a MAJOR difference here, folks. Smokers, even when in a smoking area, are still blowing off smoke that may irritate the health of those sitting nearby in a non-smoking area. There is proof, as we know, that second-hand smoke is dangerous.

 

Obese people or over-eaters are not causing the decline of health for anyone but themselves! If someone wants to pile their plate high and then go back for seconds, so be it. How is that harming you? If someone is large, how is that harming you?

 

I'm a non-smoker, but don't really give two cents whether people smoke or not. It's their choice. However, what does bother me is when I'm walking through a public area (whether it be a ship or a sidewalk or wherever) and have to breathe in cigarette smoke. No, I will not seek out the smoking area and then complain...but we all know that at times, we have to walk through areas (casino, promenade, or the sidewalk in front of your office building) and are exposed to lots of smokers. I am highly sensitive to it and exposure usually triggers my sinuses and irritates my eyes. I think the best things ever invented for this situation were those smoking lounges in some airports now that are completely enclosed glass rooms...non-smokers cannot be offended by smoke at all with these!

[Charles4515]

I do not see the point. :confused: Is it one poor choice deserves another ?? I am sure Charles would agree and be disgusted with the above "choices" too, as would I.

 

I do agree. I have not seen anything like the kind of drinking the other person described on my 21 cruises, but I would be disgusted. And it if someone vomited in the elevator when I was in it I am pretty sure I could not keep a look of disgust off my face.

 

And I wouldn't call smokers stupid. For one thing most get hooked at a young age when they are naive, gullable and are still learning. When I say the smart people have given it up I mean in the sense of making a smart choice. Those who still smoke are making a poor choice.

[flamomo]

Yes, it is THEIR choice, and being addicted to cigarettes does not make one stupid - - - maybe foolish to risk their health, but NOT stuipid. Intelligence is not a factor. It is called personal choice.

In many cases, I am sure they would like to quit, but have not yet been able to make that committment.

Interestingly, while working in a hospital, I noticed that nearly all of the Respiratiry Therapists smoked. Interesting, huh !

[coiran]

I don't see anything to cheer about...does this mean they have to pay extra? This goes against the grain of discrimination!

Yes it is extra - what's wrong with that? Leather seats are extra too - so are power windows etc - why should a smokers be included in the price of the car if it is being bought by a non-smoker - your logic? doesn't make any sense to me.

Ron

[Italy52]

"We have seen people at the wine tasting that get stupid drunk on the free wine, load food on their plates like there is no tomorrow,"

 

I have been to several Princess wine tasting events, and they don't serve enough wine to anyone to get "stupid drunk" or have enough to load their plates. The only food I have seen is the very small appitizers that are matched with the wine. Have I been attending the wrong wine tasting? Something does not add up here.

 

Dave

 

I have to agree with your statement Dave. I have been to many Princess wine tasting events and have never seen people "stupid drunk." The wine is very minimal and the appitizers, when combined together, would barely fill a small salad plate. Also, I would like to know where the free wine is. I have always had to pay for my wine tasting events.

[nednrom]

Yes it is extra - what's wrong with that? Leather seats are extra too - so are power windows etc - why should a smokers be included in the price of the car if it is being bought by a non-smoker - your logic? doesn't make any sense to me.

 

Ron

 

If we're following your logic then the lighter socket for the cell phones, radar detectors, ipods should also be optional. I think you're missing my point.

 

My point was that we are discriminating against and punishing a population to where they can't even smoke in privateanymore. That's infringing on the civil liberties of others. As long as they don't bother me and they remain in their private cars or in designated smoking areas, I have a real issue telling or forcing adults the right to whatever they want to do as long as it's still legal.

[chasetf]

If we're following your logic then the lighter socket for the cell phones, radar detectors, ipods should also be optional. I think you're missing my point.

 

My point was that we are discriminating against and punishing a population to where they can't even smoke in privateanymore. That's infringing on the civil liberties of others. As long as they don't bother me and they remain in their private cars or in designated smoking areas, I have a real issue telling or forcing adults the right to whatever they want to do as long as it's still legal.

Discrimination ='s buying your own lighter...???? :confused: Do not see the logic. Car companies are just now making it an option.

[chasetf]

Interestingly, while working in a hospital, I noticed that nearly all of the Respiratiry Therapists smoked. Interesting, huh !

Maybe they're dying to become a patient...:D :D :D

[yarlenna]

There are lots of posts about infringing on the rights of smokers. Why should nonsmokers have rights NOT to smoke? I do?? Where? I would love to book a balcony to enjoy the sweet ocean air.

[coiran]

If we're following your logic then the lighter socket for the cell phones, radar detectors, ipods should also be optional. I think you're missing my point.

 

My point was that we are discriminating against and punishing a population to where they can't even smoke in privateanymore. That's infringing on the civil liberties of others. As long as they don't bother me and they remain in their private cars or in designated smoking areas, I have a real issue telling or forcing adults the right to whatever they want to do as long as it's still legal.

 

Why should I pay for a cig lighter and ashtray if I am not going to use it - this is discrimination?? I guess I do not understand your logic -mwho is being punished?

Ron

[ssantow]

OK you don't like sex and violence on tv turn it off.

You think drinking is imoral, stay out of bars.

Your an agnostic, stay away from churches.

I could go on and on on but I have probably offended enough people already, and you get my point. If you can't stand the smoke stay away from smoking areas.

Myth: Second hand smoke is life threating. The WHO study does not agree.

 

The bottom line is live and let live, Enjoy your cruise and your life.

BTW no I do not smoke.

 

 

[madelinerose]

Not in my 2003 Honda either....ashtray and lighter were optional at least 3 years ago with Honda. ;)

 

Recently took delivery on a 2006 Chevrolet Impala LTZ - while driving home from Christmas with the kids - I looked around for a lighter and ashtray (we are non smokers) - could not find either. I asked my salesman why - he said all cars are now based as non smoking - you have to order the optional smokers package to get a lighter and ashtray - Three cheers for General Motors!

 

Ron

[Princessgal]

I am not a smoker and I believe they have a right to have space slotted for them but not when it affects my space. I paid alot for a balcony and couldn't sit out there because my neighbors chose to smoke on theirs when I went outside.

 

I love dancing but couldn't do so in the disco area because the smokers all sat around the dance floor and crew were even smoking in the area around the dance floor that is considered no smoking. How do you tell the cruise director and dancers that they are in a no smoking area?

 

I have also been forced to sit in a smoking area because there were no seats left in the no smoking area.

 

I don't know what the solution is but nothing will ever make everyone happy.

[Princessgal]

sorry I thought of a great solution. since Princess is coming out with all these twin ships why don't they designate one as a no smoking cruise. I would love to be on a smoke free ship. People wouldn't be running out of the dining room after each course to have a smoke and I could enjoy the entire ship.

Maybe Princess feels it would not sell out but I am sure it is worth the try.

[Charles4515]

OK you don't like sex and violence on tv turn it off.

You think drinking is imoral, stay out of bars.

Your an agnostic, stay away from churches.

I could go on and on on but I have probably offended enough people already, and you get my point. If you can't stand the smoke stay away from smoking areas.

Myth: Second hand smoke is life threating. The WHO study does not agree.

 

The bottom line is live and let live, Enjoy your cruise and your life.

BTW no I do not smoke.

 

 

 

You are linking to a press release from 1998. Sorry bud but there are lots of recent studies that indicate second hand smoke is dangerous.

 

To live and let live smoking needs to be banned in all public places.

[rwdtgb]

I know I shouldn't jump in but I will-- As the op stated he was in the designated area I say go ahead and smoke and enjoy it, If there is someone there that does not like it there the ones that need to find a new seat.

 

In this world there are many things that one person or another doesn't like,but as long as we all follow the rules we all can live the lives that we are ment to live God willing......

[rs12065]

To quote Mark Twain....... "giving up smoking is the easiest thing in the world. I know it because I have done it a thousand times."

I hate smoke, but as long as smokers abide by the restrictions we have placed upon them (a benefit to all society in my opinion), I believe we cannot argue with them or fault them.

To those who protest when smokers follow guidelines set up by the cruise lines, you are plainly wrong. To those smokers who ignore the guidelines and smoke whenever and wherever they please, you are equally wrong.

Dr. Bob

[earljr]

Dr. Bob-

 

Amen !

[gooselace]

I’ve seen non-smoking passengers confront smoking passengers in designated smoking areas because you see it's not about designated areas, it's about some people feeling righteous over what society deems as easy targets.

There have been several comparisons on this thread to obese people and how they are only hurting themselves and not others. As a formerly obese person, I know this doesn't prevent some people from considering them easy targets of their righteousness. Often, some perfect person would come up and say something like "Do you know how many calories are in that?"

One of these self-righteous types even cricitized my 100 year old aunt for having a plate of roast pork with gravy, followed by a piece of cake with ice cream, telling her "that can't be good for your health." Guess if she had only salad she'd have lived to be 103 instead of only 102.

Okay, so now I'm thin, and if I choose to have an occasional cigarette in a smoking area, I remember that I've already outlived a lot of nonsmoking people. Can't be healthy to worry that much about other people's business!

[Denese96]

As a former smoker I am very sorry to hear how rudely you were treated! I, too was a "polite" smoker,even before it was "required". It is sad that folks can not just mind there own business. If they are not in the smoking area with you, why are they so upset? I suspect it is not for your health. The one thing I have noticed about folks is they are quick to point out something in others while ignoring an equally or greater defect in themselves.

I hope that your next cruise experience is different.

[Cruisin' Chick]

didn't get chance to read all these pages but I have to comment. Came off the Island last week and we found the Grand Atrium to be constantly smelling of smoke. The cigar lounge should be moved to some remote location, not by a common pathway. On that deck, you're either walking by Churchills or by the Crooner's smoking section. Really poor layout. My hubby said, at the least, there should be stronger filters/fans circulating the bad air out of there. BTW, on windy days (which was most of the time on our cruise), you couldn't get away from the smoke, even if you were on the non-smoking side.

 

When checking out the NYE's parties, the one with the rock music was held in a very smoky room. You literally could see the cloud coming out into the walkway. Fortunately, we found a clean area in the Wheelhouse bar. (the Universe Lounge had a party too but the music was too 40-ish for my taste).

[Cruisin' Chick]

Another comment is that sometimes smokers did invade the non-smoking side.

[spendalot]

ah ha!!! yes and some well meaning non-smokers have no idea what section they are in. They just start their "oh so offended "show.

 

My non-smoking sister loves to make a big deal over someone smoking within 150 yards of her. She thinks that everyone should love to watch her histeronics as she coughs!!!! Its a show from a very bad actress!!! and not Kirstie Alley.

 

If you light up I dont care!!! I can move just as I would if I was around someone phoying-up there cough becuase someone smoked near them .

 

Oh and you all can still enjoy your balcony simple just time it. It is all about finding ways to deal with the distisfactions in life, if you kill all the smokers you will still find someone you dont like for some reason.....

[wrecks]

Spendalot-

Oh, and you all can still enjoy your balcony, simply, just time it. It is all about finding ways to deal with the disatisfactions in life; if you kill all the smokers you will still find someone you don't like for some reason.....

 

And guess what they will be wearing!!!! You were right on.

[TheHappyWanderer]

When we may measure the dangers of second-hand smoke on non-smokers on a 7-day cruise, I am sure the danger must be too tiny to even measure. If the non-smokers want to avoid the dangers of second-hand smoke they have every opportunity to do so abaord ship. To each his own.