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Smoking Bans on Cruise Ships Cost Millions in Cancellations
Regent Seven Seas intends to tighten its smoking rules this December. Although not even in place yet, the plan to ban smoking in cabins and on balconies has already cost the company $3 million in cancellations. And Regent isn't the only cruise line pouring water on smokers' fires; Oceania Cruises implemented a zero-tolerance policy the same day a smoldering cigarette killed one person and ruined 79 cabins aboard the Star Princess last year.
On Regent's ships, cruisers can still light up where they're likely to spend money -- in the casino and in designated sections of bars.
[via USA Today]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 40)
Patty Apr 5th 2008 11:12PM
Why is it non smokers can take your rights away ??What makes you better?? I've been next to people who don't smoke , and smell awful !! I guess it's their right ! Non smokers can be such nasty disgusting people , I'd love to take just ONE thing away from each one of you so you see how it feels to have your rights taken away ..You over there , you can't crochet, it makes my fingers hurt to watch you , and you over there ,You can't drive that car , you drive the line ,and you might hit me , and you , you can't fish , I love fish , don't you eat that ,shame on you !All sounds pretty stupid ,eh? Better I never dreamed one day I'd be told I can't smoke in my car or in my home ,so now I"m looking forward to the day when they tell you non smokers you can't do something you enjoy ..That's right , just take it away , sorry , we just don't like that , yuck .. Go get a life and mind your own busieness !!There is not one thing you can say to a smoker that will make them feel alright with you taking our rights away , nothing!Wonder what it will be next ??
Tiffany May 18th 2008 4:32AM
Wow and here I am.. I have never joined a blog before but how disturbing this is. FREEDOM what is that anymore. Look I kinda like the fact that they removed designated smoking areas for smokers and non smokers. I would have never voted for it but I kinda like it. I myself am a smoker but when my friends and I go to coffee, we order our drinks, we visit and we go outside to smoke. It is no big deal for us. and honestly I even like the 50 feet from the door policy. I believe in standing up wind from everyone else and I believe in being polite to non-smokers. what I dont believe in is telling me that I cant smoke outdoors if it a public owned space. such as at a cemetary or a park or a camp ground. I can't even go camping in the mountains where no one else is within miles and smoke. If I go to a park to watch my kids play. I must refrain from smoking even in my car. Look I am all for staying away from others when I smoke but I am also for human rights. I should have the right to decide if I want to smoke or not. I am curious if any of you non-smokers have ever thought about how things use to be. when we had no legal rights. If you believed in the wrong religion you were killed or stoned. I do not believe in christ your savior. and would perfer he not be shoved down my throat but I am all for saying the pledge of allegance the way it was originally written. one nation under god should not be removed simply dont say the words if you dont believe them. I would never wish that someone tell you that you may not believe in christ. To wish that would make me no better than osama bin laden he wishes to control and to remove all that he finds impure. Do you, who wishes to dictate my life and how I live it understand that if you judge in such a way you are no better than the terrorists that would destroy you for believing in your god instead of theres. liberty and freedom was given for a reason. life should be lived with one rule always!!! harm no one do what thy will this is the belief of me and my family and we live it everyday to the best of our ability. I say no harmful words to any of you. I only ask that you remember you to have someone or something that makes you no better than me. I chose to smoke and I chose to be polite about it. Even when some (not all) non-smokers make it very hard to do so. Live today for you at the end of the day thats who you will always be accountable for. Love today like tomorrow will never come and be tolerant today of anyone who believes differently from you for you may win the battle but you will lose the war.
Rod Feb 7th 2009 4:38PM
Now we have smoking bans on planes and cruise ships, lets get to a far more important concern. Ban fat people from planes and cruise ships. Rather sit next to a smoker on a plane than a fatso taking up half my seat and not being charged for their excess baggage.
Jerbie Jun 28th 2009 11:53AM
Just returned from a 12 day sailing in which I used my SmartSmokerUSA e-cigarette. The ship was smoke free with the exception of a small corner in the pool area. I was able to use the my SmartSmoker everywhere! The entire ship was amazed and the smokers were busy ordering their own SmartSmokerUSA e-cigarettes at every port stop (Internet Cafes). My husband and I were able to vape in our cabin, etc... What a difference it made for the trip! SmartSmokerUSA was so happy with the business that they have a special discount code for Cruise Ships. Use the discount code howard . I am not sure how long the code will be active. The Cruise Line's attitude is proof that the e-cigarette is gaining acceptance in spite of the attempts to stifle it!
P.S. I used my e-cigarette during the 8 hour flight home w/o incident. Nobody seemed to notice.
Sonya Sep 25th 2007 1:05AM
I never smoked and never will, when are these do gooders gonna learn their lesson? 3 million dollars? I hope this affects more and more people until they realize it is like trying to ban alcohol. Choices are for all of us.
Daniel Mullane Sep 9th 2007 8:16PM
LISTEN UP SMOKERS: YOU'RE A DYING BREED. YOU STINK UP YOURSELVES, THE CLOTHES YOU WEAR, AND THE AIR AROUND YOU. MOST PEOPLE ARE OFFENDED BY YOUR ODOR. INSURANCE COMPANIES CHARGE YOU EXTRA WHENEVER THEY CAN BECAUSE YOU'RE A GREATER RISK TO THEM. SO . . . DITCH THE HABIT. 8 YEARS AFTER QUITTING IT'S ALMOST AS IF YOU NEVER STARTED. AND ALWAYS REMEMBER . . . THERE IS NO GOD !
Gordon Ayers Sep 8th 2009 8:03AM
Smokers have rights as well. Properly ventilated areas would eliminate the problems. What about the obese! they take up more room on aircraft and are causing restrictions to the amount of baggage that one can carry. They are also causing the health service enormous problems and extra costs. By the way I am also an ex smoker but my wife likes a social cigarette.
Sue Sep 9th 2007 8:17PM
SUPER...Get rids of smoking...a dirty habit..and only causes diseases.
jackie Sep 10th 2007 10:07PM
I'm simply tired of so much attention being placed on not smoking. There are so many more important issues to be concerned with and the mere fact that if everyone quit smoking, there would certainly be millions of jobs lost and a hell of alot of taxes to come from somewhere else, I guess the non-smokers can pay them for awhile!
Linda Silvers Sep 9th 2007 8:25PM
Although I am not a smoker and do not particularly care for the smell, I think that many of America's personal freedoms are being taken away. If I wanted to smoke in a room that I paid thousands of dollars to stay in then that should be my choice not a companys. Funny how they never take away that freedom in places where they know that they will make more money. Like their bars or casinos.
Patrick Sep 10th 2007 1:11AM
Every time a smoker puffs that garbage where they are not supposed to it gives people more to dislike about smokers. I know it makes me support any move by the Govt or private industry to ban smoking. Support raising taxes as much as possible. Today at the Seattle airport I saw many people smoking just below the NO SMOKING sign. I don't know what it is about these people. Are they really that stupid or do they feel so angry that they are treated like pariahs that they are gunna show all the non smokers that they still don't give a darn about the laws.
ken Sep 9th 2007 8:27PM
Ever try kissing an ashtray..... Good for them.
Mark Wyant Sep 9th 2007 8:30PM
Poor smokers. I have had to endure 60 years of breathing other peoples smoke,now I don't have to. as far as I'm concerned your rights stop at your nose and mouth, not at my nose. I and people like me, have as many rights as you do now.
dan May 2nd 2009 5:18PM
That's fine and dandy but you smell, your clothes smell, everything about you and your habit. How can you be a great parent when your not only making your kids breathe the poison you choose to ingest but your showing them its okay to kill yourself slowly to get a buzz for 10 minutes. Your like a chimp in an experiment. Press the button, get temporary gratification. Move on with your life and realize that you only live once. Our bodies are vehicles that take us through life, you just happen to choose a Gremlin while others take the Ferrari. Enjoy emphysema! I hear the feeling of drowning in your own mucus is fun!
roy jones Sep 9th 2007 8:29PM
all u non smokers can kiss my smokie --- and go to hell where we all smoke
VAL Sep 9th 2007 8:29PM
I'M GLAD THEY ARE GETTING HIT IN THIER WALLETS. I WOULD CANCEL ALSO. SMOKERS ARE MUCH MORE PLEASANT PEOPLE THAN NON SMOKERS. YOU ALL ARE A BUNCH OF GROUCHS !!!! WHAT HAPPENED TO OUR FREEDOMS ? WHEN WE ARE TOLD BY GOVERNMENT WHAT WE CAN AND CANNOT DO, IT'S MY CHOICE ---LEAVE US ALONE.
Bob Sep 9th 2007 8:29PM
As a non smoker I shouldn't care!
As a non drinker I shouldn't care!
As soon as the country is smoke free they'll be working to make it alcohol free.
Then the revolution will come again and personal rights will be returned to the people.
I say, "if you don't want to be around second hand smoke, don't frequent places where they allow smoking"!
Let profit margins be the determining factor.
craig Sep 9th 2007 8:29PM
Stop attacking smokers. Most smokers I have met would love to quit but it is a very difficult habit to give up. Give them some encouragement if you are truly concerned. If you want to vent anger direct it at the tobacco companies who have done everything they could to encourage this habit and alter nicotine to make it more addictive for the sake of financial gain.
Jane Sep 9th 2007 8:30PM
Listen folks...give some of these smokers a little slack. A lot of smokers have a very hard time quitting. Been there...done that. Fat people have more dieases than smokers...Alcoholics are double on diseases...many other things cause diseases. I know its a very bad habit but some people actually enjoy a good smoke. But when I was a smoker I really felt bad with all the orders given for somking. Most smokers really want to quit. They just have such a hard time with it. All I can say is Watch out! fatties and drinkers...you are next in line to be put down.
Josh Parker Sep 9th 2007 9:00PM
Regarding comment #1: There is a God. He is full of love and salvation. He knows and sees all, even on the internet. He does love you.