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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 5 of 40)
Mike Menaker Sep 9th 2007 9:08PM
So much ignorance!! And for what, a drug habit which afflicts millions. Any fool who thinks drinking is more dangerous and deadly than smoking must be smoking more than tobacco, or is too stupid to look up the facts. Smoking kills between 8 and 10 times the number of people killed by alcohol per year in the U.S. alone. The taxes lost from lost jobs will easily be made up by people who used to smoke living longer.
Yes I'm an ex-smoker. Took 5 tries, but I finally did it. My brother and sister and two cousins are ex-smokers also-lung cancer killed them, so it was much easier to not smoke when you're dead. Give those of us who want to breath clean air a break and smoke in a closet where it will only effect you.
You can pay $1,000 a night and still have to obey the rules of the house-you only rent the room, jerk.
I've been trapped on a cruise ship where there was no non-smoking area and it was hell. I'm sure there will eventually be smoking cruises, just as there are smoking private air flights-you just have to pay the extra money to foul the air, furniture, drapes, burn holes in the carpet, etc.
You pay more taxes because you use more services-clean up of butts galore, health care on the Medicare and Medicaid teat, fire department responses to fires set by burning cigarettes, etc. Either quit or pay the price.
jessie glover sr Sep 9th 2007 10:43PM
I SMOKED FOR 40 YEARS. STOPPED WHEN I HAD BY-PASS SURGERY 12 YEARS AGO. TONIGHT I CAN'T BREATH. I HAVE TO KEEP AN INHAILER IN MY POCKET TO OPEN MY LUNGS IF I'M AROUND SMOKE. SOMETIMES I HAVE TO HOOK MYSELF UP TO A BREATHING MACHINE FOR A WHILE IN ORDER TO SLEEP. I WAKE UP COUGHING AND NO ONE ELCE CAN REST. IF I'M NOT COUGHING, I WHEEZE AND OUT OF BREATH DOING LITTLE THINGS, LIKE BENDING OVER TO TIE MY SHOES. I'M NOT A BIG FAT PERSON EITHER. I WEIGHED 130 PPOUNDS WHEN I HAD BY-PASS SURGERY. ONLY 165 NOW. I NEVER REALIZED WHAT I WAS DOING TO MYSELF OR PEOPLE IN MY CONDITION UNTIL IT HAPPENED TO ME. CEREFUL! YOU WILL PROBABLY BE NEXT IF YOU DON'T QUIT. PLEASE! THINK OF WHAT YOU ARE FORCEING ON OTHER PEOPLE INSTEAD, AND YOUR SELFISH SELF. I DIDN'T CARE ABOUT OTHERS EITHER MUCHLESS MY OWN HEALTH.
Bonnie Sep 9th 2007 9:05PM
Judge ye not, lest ye be judged
jl Sep 9th 2007 9:06PM
64 yrs of age, last girl dated that smoked was long ago. sex is rank, when you start getting worked up smell comes out of your pores and orafices thru fluids. when you deep breath stink is noticed, skin looks limp, small corpusles clog, you generally look unkempt and older
Victor Lazlooo Sep 9th 2007 9:07PM
I know it sure isnt easy giving up the smoking. But it got easier. OOps just a sec. I have to turn up my oxygen concentrator to 4L's. There thats more like it. Dont mind other people smoking . Thats their choice. I just ask to give me a little consideration when your around me. I know, I know, it was my fault for getting this bad, but I am passed the guilt and on to dealing with reality. The reality is no more life as it once was. I wish I could help all of you out with this tax thing that seems to be the main problem, but I lost everything in medical bills so cant help ya there. The drinking, cant drink either, thats a whole nother story not for this story. But I will say if ever you get COPD, Emphysema, Respritory Distress, Lung Cancer I will help you get through it the best I can.
splishdripper Sep 9th 2007 9:07PM
I actually love the smell of second hand smoke better now just knowing that any non-smokers around are getting a blast also. Funny huh?
Angie Sep 9th 2007 9:07PM
Why is everyone so confrontational. First both groups have rights and they deserve to be protected. The biggest problem with smoking is that my children also eat in restaurants and go to the mall and amusement parks where they must walk through smoke. I grew up with both parents smoking and I do have some lung problems even though I have never smoked. (As do my sisters) So I do not think that others should be subjected to your cigarettes including your own kids, but I do believe that you have the right to smoke in designated areas that I can avoid to protect myself and my children. As for the cruise ship, I do think they will lose money but if they can protect passengers from careless people who may be drinking and smoking in their cabins and can prevent a fire at sea then maybe it would be better to smoke in public areas where at least a fire would be spotted quickly.
sonimar Sep 9th 2007 9:07PM
As an asthmatic and a fan of cruising I applaud the cruise lines brave to take a positive stand; now if they would do something about all the annoying children, we would be all set!
Mary Sep 9th 2007 9:07PM
daniel...I will give up smoking when YOU give up LIVING.....MIND YOUR OWN D****d business!!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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 !
Posted at 8:16PM on Sep 9th 2007 by Daniel Mullane
Susan Davidson Sep 9th 2007 9:29PM
For all of you non-smokers that are bashing smokers...I smoke, I drive, I have never caused an accident by smoking nor have I killed a family of 5 because I was smoking. However, drunk drivers do...we have people who have been charged 3, 4 and 5 times with dui, so get real. How many people do you know that have died from second-hand smoke? Not near as many as from drinking. Does smoking break up families? No. I am courteous of those that don't smoke, but can you tell me why non smokers sit where it is designated 'smoking' then sit there and wave away smoke? Quite frankly, my dears, I don't give a da**. Keep your alcohol away from me and I'll keep my smoke away from you.
Bill Sep 9th 2007 9:08PM
Ban smokers, no second hand smoke, die anyway.
Breathe second hand smoke, die sooner. Let us smoke. That way we'll be free of you whining pansies that much faster.
Matt Sep 9th 2007 9:09PM
Years ago I used to smoke. I got addicted by being around smokers. I was 19 before I started. I never liked it, I was addicted by second hand smoke. I never inhaled or exhaled through my nose. Once I got away from the smoking crowd, it was easy to quit. Smoke if you must but please don't blow it in my direction.
Patrick Sep 9th 2007 11:11PM
Best thing about smokers. They die younger.
sqishie87 Sep 9th 2007 9:10PM
I agree that smoking should be banned in some areas but banning it overall would be rediculous. It is a person's right to smoke as it is also a person's right to not be subjected to smoking. They should keep it a happy medium in the middle:Make a section for smoker's and another for nonsmokers like they use to.
C J Sep 9th 2007 9:11PM
I think all you non-smokers need to stop whining and leave the smokers alone. Do something worthwhile with your time besides complain. If its not smoking then it will something else. We will smoke in our cars, homes, anywhere we darn well please whether you like it or not so GET A LIFE!!!
pscott Sep 9th 2007 9:18PM
Wake up america the goverment is taking away your choices with every new law and rule they make. From where you cant smoke to seatbelts to whatevere else they want to do.Funny how they pay billions of dollars a year to help drug addicts kick there habit but wont pay anything to help people quit a legal habit.
jeffreytcole Sep 9th 2007 9:11PM
It's just another case of being the persecuted minority!! Where's the ACLU when it comes to smokers?? I can't stand people that are stupid but I don't ban them from activities I'm involved in. I can't stand people that have different ethnic backgrounds than I do but I don't persecute them for it.
I'm a courteous smoker and do not smoke around non-smokers. I do not throw butts out my car window or on the ground. I dispose of ashes and butts responsibly. Where are the people that throw trash on my highways and neighborhood streets?
I am going to smoke until the day I die and if people don't like the way I smell, then they can just stay the hell away from me.
BM Sep 9th 2007 9:11PM
Tsk, Tsk. All the bickering is pointless. I can honestly say I really do not care what people do with their own lungs. As far as second hand smoke goes -- don't go where smoking is allowed. The village I live passed a non-smoking ordinance and has forced many restaurants to close due to the lack of business. If it stands to reason that businesses are losing money when smoking is banned then that would mean that smokers are a stronger driving force in the economy therefore -- let there be smoke. I for one do not want to pay the huge tax increases that will result from the loss of tabacco sales.
Wake up folks, soon "big brother" will tell us when we are allowed to breath too.
sam Sep 9th 2007 9:11PM
well I wont be going on any cruises anytime soon, so MORE MONEY FOR MORE CIGARS, The Oliva, Torano, Fuente, and Padron family thank you cruiselines
Victor Lazlooo Sep 9th 2007 9:26PM
I know it sure isnt easy giving up the smoking. But it got easier. OOps just a sec. I have to turn up my oxygen concentrator to 4L's. There thats more like it. Dont mind other people smoking . Thats their choice. I just ask to give me a little consideration when your around me. I know, I know, it was my fault for getting this bad, but I am passed the guilt and on to dealing with reality. The reality is no more life as it once was. I wish I could help all of you out with this tax thing that seems to be the main problem, but I lost everything in medical bills so cant help ya there. The drinking, cant drink either, thats a whole nother story not for this story. But I will say if ever you get COPD, Emphysema, Respritory Distress, Lung Cancer I will help you get through it the best I can.