Cruise Smoking Bans Clouded By Complaints

[madelinerose]

From the RCI board:

 

 

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

[Hlitner]

"Cruise Smoking Bans Clouded By Complaints " Actually the only "clouds" I have ever seen inside cruise ships were caused by cigarette smoke.

 

Hank

[Jemima]

The article seems biased to me. There are many more opposed to smoking. Perhaps non-smokers have not spoken up enough on this. While we are big HAL fans, we are likely to move to another cruiseline unless HAL moves soon to decrease on board smoking. We appreciated the more restricted smoking on the Veendam in April. On our cruise next month we will expect at least that much restriction. If not, we'll be looking at other cruiselines.

[JimVrhovac]

How much more do you want to restric soking.

 

We have small area in Crows nest and Oceans bar. none in explorers lounge.

 

Sports bar at bar only & casino.

 

Most of us go along with these restrictions. What do you want a barge towed behind the ship that we have to go to and smoke?????

 

Jim

[MYMOTHERSCHILD]

Jim, you have no idea how offensive smoking is to non-smokers. It's not only the smoke itself, but aren't you aware that breath, clothing, and hair reek of the smell? If you're uncomfortable being close to someone with body odor, for example, or wears perfume that's overwhelming, you should understand. A smokeless society would be great--for our health. But, until then, is it so difficult to step out on a deck and make it a point to avoid puffing in someone's face? Just plain good manners.

MMC

O dear, you're mad at me.

[JimVrhovac]

When Ruth and I smoke we stay in required areas. We do make the rules but we abide by them. In turn we should not be critized because we are abiding by the rules that they have set up.

 

Know HAL is going to have at least one smokeless bars on the ship and that does not bother us. On the Vista class ships the Oceans bar has a separated enclosed smoking area where we cannot hear the music but you don't hear us complaining. These are the facts of life.

 

It would be nice to be shown the same courtesy that we try to show to others without the nasty comments and gestures. We are paying the same for the cruise as you are.

 

Ruth & Jim

[jcrandle]

The non-smoking area of the crow's nest makes as much sense as designating a non-peeing area of the pool. We have to leave the crow's nest if there are smokers in the smoking area, because the smell permeates the entire area.

[MYMOTHERSCHILD]

"These are the facts of life."

I tried only to present the facts of life too. I didn't mean to be nasty. I'm sorry if it came across that way.

MMC

[JimVrhovac]

You comments did not offend us.

 

It is the comments and looks that we get on the ships that are offensive.

 

I have been around long enough to respect the opinions of others, even when I do not agree with them. That is what makes this country different from so many others in this world.

 

Just that everyone needs to give others a little space and respect when they are following the ESTABLISHED RULES.

 

Have a great cruise next trip.

 

Ruth & Jim

[JimVrhovac]

Is there a designated NON PEEING area in the POOLS???????????????????

 

HE HE HE HE

 

Ruth & Jim

[seamenow]

Due to an atmosphere of judgment and ridicule by nonsmokers I am posting the following information anonymously. Sorry, but I don't want to subject myself to that ridicule. It isn't about me anyway!

 

The following is a link to a level headed article written by an environmental scientist named Michael Shaw. If you choose to disbelieve his views because they don't t fit your belief structure, do a few Google searches and read some other articles written by scientists as opposed to activists. Maybe you will learn something about social manipulation.

 

http://www.gasdetection.com/news2/health_news_digest6.html

 

Following are some excerpts from the above linked article:

 

"As to the matter of someone being "allergic" to ETS, based on the traditional definition of an allergen being an agent that promotes an immunological response, ETS fails that test, and so far, at least, can only be classified as an irritant. Properly, people are "sensitive" to ETS. But, playing on the well known dangers of smoking, the doom-profiteers have worked many people into a frenzy, by conflating the bad habit of smoking with the much different matter of breathing in secondhand smoke.

 

Science, at its best, should never have an agenda, and should aid the quest for truth. In the days before big media and big research grants, bizarre claims could be subjected to the harsh light of objective science. Nowadays, though, it is sometimes the alleged "science" that promotes the bizarre claims..."

 

 

"So, how dangerous IS secondhand smoke? The most reliable data would indicate that it is nowhere near as serious a threat as elements of the media (and their supporters within academia) would have us believe. In fact, ETS is, at its most extreme, far less dangerous than numerous other indoor air pollutants such as carbon monoxide, toxic mold, and radon."

 

"The biggest study on this topic, covering 39 years, and involving 118,094 adults, with particular focus on 35,561 who never smoked, and had a spouse in the study with known smoking habits, came to this conclusion:

 

 

'The results do not support a causal relation between environmental tobacco smoke and tobacco related mortality, although they do not rule out a small effect. The association between exposure to environmental tobacco smoke and coronary heart disease and lung cancer may be considerably weaker than generally believed'."

[Missabby]

You'll get no complaints from me over banning smoking. I consider it a disgusting & offensive habit, but that's my personal opinion.

 

I agree with jcrandle; you can restrict smoking to a section of a room but it will still permeate the entire room and you leave smelling like a stale cig. Trying to eat in a room like that gets even worse....

[Sow There]

The article seems biased to me. There are many more opposed to smoking. Perhaps non-smokers have not spoken up enough on this...

You are, I'm sure, joking.

 

The number of anti-smoking posts on this board far, far exceeds the number of pro smoking posts. Please...don't encourage yet another barrage of "smoking is bad" posts. We're drowning in them.

[jtl513]

Please...don't encourage yet another barrage of "smoking is bad" posts. We're drowning in them.

And more are hardly needed, because even smokers know that smoking is bad for them! :D I strongly believe that if I had not given up smoking 25 years ago that I would not be alive to type this. I have already outlived my father by many years, who was killed by smoking.

[RuthC]

As for inside areas, the only reasonable solution is fully-enclosed, separately ventilated areas.

Such as inside the cabin, perhaps? But that's the very place where it's being banned by some cruiselines. :confused:

HAL already restricts smoking to very few areas---which are very easy to avoid.

[welove2cruise232]

Ugh, is anyone as sick of this subject as I am??!! If the non-smokers don't like the smoke, STAY OUT of the smoking areas!! How hard is that?? We won't bother you if YOU don't bother us...:rolleyes:

[mina]

For anyone interested -- I am starting a new group -- ex-smokers for smoker rights -- I and hubby just quit (decided to save the money as az passed a $1.00 a pack tax for low income child care -- yeah -- like your kids are my responsibility because I smoke -- I am just hoping that the next law will be forced sterilzation of all those people that can't afford to have kids -- too many kids hurts the environment and impacts my taxes -- so shouldn't their rights be dictated too -- just like smokers??) Anyway, its been two months now and we will not start up again. However, I am still appalled that people think it is okay to view others as disgusting, etc -- because they engage in a behavior you dont. I find athletic jocks who sweat all over the promenade deck as they bump me out of the way during their run to be truly disgusting -- coming in contact with their bodily fluids is a true biohazard and much more dangerous than the poor person standing outside in the wind smoking a cigarette. Right now, moralistic attitude towards smokers is socially acceptable -- one smoker on a cruise is not going to lead to your death. You just need someone and something to hate -- and it is okay (even applauded) for it to be smokers. May you all experience such social ridicule at some time. Your SUV, etc. causes more potential damage than my smokes ever would have -- so get off your high horse. May your judgments be returned to you 1000 times over.

[WillieF]

When Ruth and I smoke we stay in required areas. We do make the rules but we abide by them. In turn we should not be critized because we are abiding by the rules that they have set up.

 

Know HAL is going to have at least one smokeless bars on the ship and that does not bother us. On the Vista class ships the Oceans bar has a separated enclosed smoking area where we cannot hear the music but you don't hear us complaining. These are the facts of life.

 

It would be nice to be shown the same courtesy that we try to show to others without the nasty comments and gestures. We are paying the same for the cruise as you are.

 

Ruth & Jim

 

We'll drink to that!!!! If we ever meet on a cruise we'll gladly buy a few rounds.......the 'holier than thou' converts are a pain - and frequently sneaky!

[MYMOTHERSCHILD]

"If the non-smokers don't like the smoke, STAY OUT of the smoking areas!! How hard is that?? We won't bother you if YOU don't bother us..."

 

I respond to WeLove...because any argument should make sense. The problem is that non smokers aren't bothering anyone, in the sense that is being discussed, whereas smoke really does bother. That's simply the truth of the matter.

MMC

[RuthC]

Have you found anything out about the authorized Peing area in the pools??????

The Lido Pool. Aft pool is "non- ".

[RuthC]

...smoke really does bother. That's simply the truth of the matter.

How does smoke bother if you're not anywhere near it?

The smoking areas of the ship are so few, and so small, there's no need to be anywhere near any of them, while still enjoying the complete facilities.

[JimVrhovac]

Ruth there are still some of us that have a sense of humor.....

 

Ruth & Jim

[welove2cruise232]

"If the non-smokers don't like the smoke, STAY OUT of the smoking areas!! How hard is that?? We won't bother you if YOU don't bother us..."

 

I respond to WeLove...because any argument should make sense. The problem is that non smokers aren't bothering anyone, in the sense that is being discussed, whereas smoke really does bother. That's simply the truth of the matter.

MMC

 

Non-smokers bother ME when they come into a smoking area, fake-coughing, waving their hands, and complaining about the smoke -- it's a SMOKING area! I don't smoke where smoking isn't allowed; if you stay out of the smoking areas, I guess "we" won't be bothering you...:cool:

[richkinkade]

Actually, on my recent Legend cruise, I compared the list of areas in which smoking was allowed with the list of bars. It turns out, smoking was allowed in every bar, and not just one side. Smoking was also permitted in the vast majority of the casino, although there was a small slot machine area marked no smoking on the machines. The smokers extended the smoking area outside the casino and into the hallway. The two lounge areas right by the dining room entrance seemed to be non-smoking.

 

I wonder why smokers complain there are so few smoking areas when virtually all the bar areas and half the open decks allow smoking. Isn't that enough to accommodate the 20% of cruisers who smoke? Are they suggesting it's unfair that they can't smoke in the dining room during dinner, or in the show lounge during shows?

[kittikat]

Mina, first of all congrats to you and your husband getting off the smokes, everytime I think about quitting some non-smoker ticks me off and I light up.

 

welove2cruise.............. next time you want to have some fun walk though a non-smoking area holding an UNLIT cigarette and watch how many cough, gag and wave..is a riot!

 

I guess since I stink so bad I will just have to pour on the perfume!! Wouldn't want to offend anyone.