USA TODAY: Smoking News and Trends

[C 2 C]

The following is an article about smoking trends in the cruise industry:..

 

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/news/2007-09-06-cruise-smoking-bans_N.htm

[NorCalCruiseGuy]

Uh oh, I can feel another long thread about smoking vs. non-smoking. It seems that this issue will never be totally resolved. It was a huge leap (forward?) years ago when airlines did away with smoking on flights. Somehow, we got used to that. But 7- or 14- days with stricter smoking regulations could be a real problem to enforece.

For the record, I am not a smoker.

[adegner]

We all have to understand that cruising is a "business". But at sea there must be safety measures. I am a non-smoker, but absolutely understand that smokers need their "space". When you are on a cruise for days and days, it is certainly more difficult to refrain from smoking or to "limit" smoking than when just taking a flight. So, I can understand the cruisers on Regent that canceled their bookings. But, RCCL should have banned smoking on balconies and ALLOWED smoking in the cabins. The balconies are the places where the wind catches the ashes and sends then flying. I think folks would be careful in their rooms. And as a non-smoker, I would love to be able to sit on my balcony without smokers next to me. It is VERY hard to put rules in place. I do not envy the management.

[Drew B]

I will gladly and cordially follow any smoking rules the cruiselines implement, even if it means that I have to go to some dingy, disgusting smoking lounge like they have in some airports. If they do away with smoking entirely or make it against the rules to smoke in the casino, I will not take that cruise. Otherwise, I will simply respect the wishes of management and enjoy my vacation.

 

I ask non-smoking advocates to respect the rules similarly and not go out of their way to make smokers who follow the rules feel unwelcome. If you have a problem with the leniency of the regulations, by all means take it up with management. But please don't take it out on smokers who are only doing what they are permitted to do.

 

Thank you.

[beauxdammit]

Hooray for those lines with the intestinal fortitude to bring on more stringent smoking requirments. I have no problem with those folks attempting to commit suicide, albeit slowly, but I do not want them taking me with them.

 

Come on, Celebrity, get on the bandwagon. Ban smoking in the cabins and on the balconies. Give the smokers a well ventilated, well identified, sanctuary and most will be happy.

[greeneg]

This is actually a simple issue to resolve; ban smoking on the ships. Period. Everywhere. Everybody. If you want to cruise, don't smoke. If you want to smoke, don't cruise.

 

Easy........:)

[raudacruise]

Sure am glad we went almost 1 week smokefree...I mean debate free. Personally, I think debating this issue is more hazardous than primary or second hand smoke.

[Cruisenouvelle]

DrewB.said...

"I will gladly and cordially follow any smoking rules the cruiselines implement, even if it means that I have to go to some dingy, disgusting smoking lounge like they have in some airports. If they do away with smoking entirely or make it against the rules to smoke in the casino, I will not take that cruise. Otherwise, I will simply respect the wishes of management and enjoy my vacation.

 

I ask non-smoking advocates to respect the rules similarly and not go out of their way to make smokers who follow the rules feel unwelcome. If you have a problem with the leniency of the regulations, by all means take it up with management. But please don't take it out on smokers who are only doing what they are permitted to do."

Even though I'm a non smoker, I respect this rational point of view. If all smokers are this thoughtful, it will make cruising for all of us a lot more enjoyable. If you don't want smoking on ships, your issue is with the cruiseline, for IT is the entity that permits it (or does not enforce its regulations when they are disregarded).

[Drew B]

Thank you very much.

 

If you don't want smoking on ships, your issue is with the cruiseline, for IT is the entity that permits it (or does not enforce its regulations when they are disregarded).

 

 

If people are breaking the rules and smoking where they're not supposed to, though, you have my blessing to make them feel as unwelcome as you like. Enforcement shouldn't be an issue, as people should simply follow the rules. If they're NOT breaking any rules, then there is no reason why they should be made to feel bad.

[grprk02]

so smoking will be banned everywhere. what will everyone find to moan about then. the soap boxes will be redundant.

[Cote d'or]

This is actually a simple issue to resolve; ban smoking on the ships. Period. Everywhere. Everybody. If you want to cruise, don't smoke. If you want to smoke, don't cruise.

 

Easy........:)

 

Yeah....right. Drastic posts like these are so way over the top and unrealistic, they become almost funny. Almost.

[Shipyard Cruiser]

so smoking will be banned everywhere. what will everyone find to moan about then. the soap boxes will be redundant.

 

That's easy.

 

The "Code".

[C 2 C]

so smoking will be banned everywhere. what will everyone find to moan about then. the soap boxes will be redundant.

 

You mean we no longer have to use soap to get rid of the smell?;)

 

Pods :eek:, good/bad food, customer relations, traditional/personal choice dining, Captain's club perks, and how much better X non-smoking ships are than all the others.... and don't forget we can always moan about the good old days when we had something serious to moan about...:rolleyes:

[Captain Jake]

The Poll in the atricle gave no answer I agreed with.I don't think it should be banned.I don't think it should be allowed on ALL balconies and I don't think it should stay as is

[WCAB]

This is actually a simple issue to resolve; ban smoking on the ships. Period. Everywhere. Everybody. If you want to cruise, don't smoke. If you want to smoke, don't cruise.

 

Easy........:)

 

I guess it would not be too big of a stretch to assume you are a non-smoker. As with most things in life, I believe with some effort it is possible to give both sides of an issue what they want. Given human nature, if smoking were completely banned tomorrow, it would not be long before there would be a popular cause that we would want to enforce in mass. Sooner or later, this mentality will narrow the scope of freedoms we take for granted, it would just be a matter of time before someone would want to ban something that we now enjoy, for my own good and yours of coarse. Maybe alcohol? I think over time, less and less people will be smoking through education and individual insight.

[Donnaluv2cruise]

I'd like to moan about how my cruise isn't until March...:D Can someone do something about that, please???

[LV2KruzCats]

This is a really hard subject to be objective on ! I have been a smoker for more years than I care to admit and have always tried to be considerate of how, when and where I smoked. I always adhered to port side lounges, port side of the pool area etc. Smoked in my cabin, and on the veranda.

 

But, now, I have been smoke free with no relapse for 112 days ! :D:D

 

We will be cruising in October and DH keeps asking where will we sit for pre dinner drinks etc. as starboard will be a new experience ! We have avoided any place that we know smokers gather to help me, but on a ship it'll be harder. I hope and pray we don't have any veranda smokers near us ! Am I being 2 faced ? This has been a very hard habit to kick and I don't need any temptations as it is still something new, being a non-smoker !

[Drew B]

I hope and pray we don't have any veranda smokers near us ! Am I being 2 faced ? This has been a very hard habit to kick and I don't need any temptations as it is still something new, being a non-smoker !

 

Well, based on your past, you clearly don't have a philosophical issue with smoking on balconies. Your issue is personal and individual. I hope, too that you don't have balcony smokers near you. However, if you do, I suggest that you get up and go inside. I know that is a big sacrifice to make, but as you no doubt are seeing, the process of quitting is filled with sacrifices! Good luck.

[Drew B]

so smoking will be banned everywhere. what will everyone find to moan about then. the soap boxes will be redundant.

 

That's easy. We can all moan about how Celebrity went out of business so we don't get to sail them anymore. Non-smoking ships have been tried, and it was an unmitigated financial disaster.

 

You can restrict smoking in a variety of ways and smokers can still sail with the line and spend their money. If you ban it entirely, you completely and totally lose a substantial portion of the market and all of their money along with it.

[HeatherInFlorida]

............

 

But, now, I have been smoke free with no relapse for 112 days ! :D:D

 

Congratulations!!!:D Few know better than I how hard it is to stop smoking ..... or drinking for that matter!!! I've given up both. Smoking was harder:) ... keep up the good work.

 

I don't think if someone is smoking on their balcony it will bother you that much. Just don't walk down the port side and you'll be fine!!!

 

I can think of lots of subjects I fear more than smoking/non-smoking threads. Lots of people choose to smoke and they should be provided a a place to do that.

 

This situation reminds me of when I was a child and the teacher would always tell us when one kid ruined the fun for all the others. Recently there was a terrible fire at my mother's senior living complex because some jerk put out her cigarette in dried spanish moss in a flower pot. And entire wing of the complex was shut down for a year. Now there is no smoking anywhere on that property from the driveway entrance inward.

 

Poor smoker behavior can cause fires. So some people will ruin it for the others. No cruise line will ban smoking just because some people are offended by it or because it's dangerous to people's health. They will ban it so their ships aren't in as much danger of going up in flames. No cruise line wants to give up the revenue smokers provide.

[beauxdammit]

Luv2KruzCats...I agree, and from experience, know, that it is difficult to quit the habit. Just remember, the only cigarette you have to avoid is the next one.

 

Keep up the good work.

[Captain Jake]

That's easy. We can all moan about how Celebrity went out of business so we don't get to sail them anymore. Non-smoking ships have been tried, and it was an unmitigated financial disaster.

 

You can restrict smoking in a variety of ways and smokers can still sail with the line and spend their money. If you ban it entirely, you completely and totally lose a substantial portion of the market and all of their money along with it.

 

I agree.Non-smoking ships were a failure but the cruiselines also realize they need to make non-smokers happy too.Losing their revenue would be an even bigger disaster

[susanp]

We will be cruising in October and DH keeps asking where will we sit for pre dinner drinks etc. as starboard will be a new experience ! We have avoided any place that we know smokers gather to help me, but on a ship it'll be harder. I hope and pray we don't have any veranda smokers near us ! Am I being 2 faced ? This has been a very hard habit to kick and I don't need any temptations as it is still something new, being a non-smoker !

 

First, Congratulations on quitting!!! Quitting smoking is the single most difficult thing I have done in my life. Kudos to you for getting through it, I know very well how hard it is.

 

I have been thinking about this verandah issue quite a bit, given how clearly the message comes through on these boards that smokers truly can't fathom the strength of the smell/smoke that passes outdoors from balcony to balcony. (I also know this from personal experience as a past smoker.) Even some nonsmokers seem to have less sensitive noses, and many want those of us who are bothered by smoke to just get over it. I wish I could, I'll tell you--I don't object to smoke in order to judge and infuriate smokers, I object because smoke irritates my eyes, I hate the smell, it gets in my hair and clothes and I have to live with it until I get everything washed. It's really, really not a judgement on my part, but a visceral reaction.

Anyway, back to the verandah. I am thinking about bringing a small fan with me, to see if that might help blow the smoke back toward the smokers' balcony. I am recovering from an illness and feel some desperation to avoid being sickened by smoke--and if the rabid "smokers rights" stance I have encountered on this board is any indication of what I can expect onboard, no matter how reasonable I have been (and will be because I am a reasonable person)--I have to think of some way to protect myself from smoke.

Anyway, just a thought. If it helps you in these early days of quitting, might be worth considering. Good luck!

And--one other thought--don't ever think you can "just have one" cigarette.

Susan

 

(quit August 1985)

[WCAB]

What helped me was going over in my head, how much better I feel, do not need Advair anymore and save enough money to take an extra cruise every year

or two.

[Drew B]

I agree.Non-smoking ships were a failure but the cruiselines also realize they need to make non-smokers happy too.Losing their revenue would be an even bigger disaster

 

 

That's very true. The difference is, non-smokers can and do cruise with restricted smoking permitted. Smokers will not and, in fact in many cases, cannot cruise if smoking is banned. If all of a sudden, vast numbers of non-smokers stopped cruising because smoking is permitted, the cruise lines would probably ban it. However, if they continue to cruise while smoking is permitted, the fact that they might PREFER to have it banned won't be enough to change the cruiselines' policies...