SMOKERS - Freedom of the Seas policy change?

[Captain Jake]

I never knew of any one allergic to smoke untill I joined here.

 

 

see you learned something new

:cj

[Clarkk W Griswald]

Obesity is also a very expensive medical condition...

 

Yes, but my being obese in no way harmful to the health of others....unless, of course, you are in my way to the buffet line. Then I might have to knock you out of my way! haha

Just trying to lighten up the thread.

[Clarkk W Griswald]

and smokers are more likely to be obese than non smokers

:cj

 

Actually, I would think smokers who quit are more likely to be obese. I gained over 30 pounds when I quit.

[Captain Jake]

Actually, I would think smokers who quit are more likely to be obese. I gained over 30 pounds when I quit.

 

non-smokers tend to exercise more which can help keep th lbs off

:cj

[QTMichele]

But I want to really tell the smokers on this thread is, my husband was a 2 pack smoker a day. He quit 15 years ago and he was diagnosed a year and a half ago with stage 4 lung cancer. He is still here only because the cancer moved to his back and he was having real back problems he couldnt hardly walk and they found it. Stage 4 is the worst level to be at. His doctor said as long as you put a ciggarette in your mouth, you are planting a seed in your body. Weather that seed germinates now or later or ever is your bodys chemistry.

So I dont want people to be living our nightmare. My husband goes to Chemo every 3 weeks and sometimes if the chemicals worked he get a couple months off. Now we are not stopping the cancer we are only temporarly holding it back. Eventually this is going to get him. Since he isfrom strong stock he is still here. Most of the people at his stage would already be gone. He will go in a few years but in the meantime maybe something in the medical area might help us. Wishful thinking. It hard when you finally find the person you want to spend your whole life with and now is going to be taken away. Its a dirty trick. So all you smokers out there its not worth it, its not worth the pain to your family and I hope you can find a way to quit.

 

Brenda and Bob

Peoria, AZ

 

I just want to tell you how sorry I am for your family. Lung cancer isn't an easy diagnosis, but there are some wonderful books and online resources that are very helpful (www.lungcanceralliance.com is an incredible resource).

 

My aunt, who was more like a sister to me than "just an aunt," was diagnosed with stage IIIb nonsmall lung cancer at the age of 44. She passed away on July 26 of this year after a courageous battle. She never smoked, but was raised around second hand smoke. She left her three teenaged children, her husband, and an abundance of family and friends who continue to mourn the loss of her.

 

Although I sympathize with the smoking addiction because most smokers start when they are young and stupid, I do ask that all smokers love themselves and their family enough to either quit or, at the very minimum, stop smoking around others. Lung cancer is not an easy disease to live with or die from.:(

[babies12]

I just want to tell you how sorry I am for your family. Lung cancer isn't an easy diagnosis, but there are some wonderful books and online resources that are very helpful (www.lungcanceralliance.com is an incredible resource).

 

My aunt, who was more like a sister to me than "just an aunt," was diagnosed with stage IIIb nonsmall lung cancer at the age of 44. She passed away on July 26 of this year after a courageous battle. She never smoked, but was raised around second hand smoke. She left her three teenaged children, her husband, and an abundance of family and friends who continue to mourn the loss of her.

 

Although I sympathize with the smoking addiction because most smokers start when they are young and stupid, I do ask that all smokers love themselves and their family enough to either quit or, at the very minimum, stop smoking around others. Lung cancer is not an easy disease to live with or die from.:(

 

Ok, I really feel sorry for all of those suffering from cancer. However, we are talking about a cruise vacation and if a smoker wants to smoke he/she has every right to do so where it is allowed. Now, if anyone does not like it, they could move away from it. However, smokers are very limited in areas on the ship they are sailing on and again, they are also on vacation. So, enough with the cancer death stories. We all know what smoking can do to a person, but it's their right to either smoke or not, not someone else telling them what to do and what it can do to them.

[QTMichele]

Ok, I really feel sorry for all of those suffering from cancer. However, we are talking about a cruise vacation and if a smoker wants to smoke he/she has every right to do so where it is allowed. Now, if anyone does not like it, they could move away from it. However, smokers are very limited in areas on the ship they are sailing on and again, they are also on vacation. So, enough with the cancer death stories. We all know what smoking can do to a person, but it's their right to either smoke or not, not someone else telling them what to do and what it can do to them.

 

You're right, it is a smoker's right to smoke or not, but it's not their right to take away someone else's life because of their actions. As I said, I'm sympathetic to the smoking addiction, but I'm more sympathetic to a person's right to live.

 

You know, I find it funny how many people on CC are so protective of the employees aboard cruise ships (ex tipping), yet some of these same protective people think it's okay to affect the quality of these employees lives by smoking around them because "it's my vacation." For now, smoking is allowed, but it is my most sincere hope that it becomes even more limited to help ensure the safety and well being of everyone on board. It's anyone's right to agree or disagree, but my mind is made up (and science agrees with me).

[karen&roy]

I just returned last weekend from an Eastern Caribbean itinerary (6-13 Sep) on Freedom of the Seas. After boarding I discovered that smoking was banned on the Pool deck (deck 11) including the Pool Bar. The outdoor smoking areas were limited to Deck 4 starboard and Deck 12 starboard (and your balcony if you're lucky enough to have one). Also, the pub on the Promenade was no-smoking (though some other indoor bars were designated for smoking). Has this always been the policy on Freedom?

This was a shocker for me and I was wondering if the policy is the same on other Freedom-class ships (Liberty and Independence). I'm used to sailing on Voyager-class and Sovereign-class ships and the pool deck starboard side has been one of my favorite hangouts to sit in the shade, have a smoke and people-watch.

I'm also wondering if RCI is expecting to take this fleet-wide. I asked several folks (waiters, Guest Relations) but as usual, for every employee I asked I got a different response. The responses varied from "it's always been that way on Freedom", to "it just changed on Freedom last week", to "coming soon to a ship near you."

 

Last time we were on Freedom this wasn't the case. You just had to be on port side of ship, and you could smoke at the pool bar. I actually enjoyed smoking at the pool bar and this is one reason we always get a balcony :)

[MAZANDSTEVE]

and smokers are more likely to be obese than non smokers

:cj

 

 

Not entirely true, if smokers are obese, they would probably be obese if they didnt smoke. Most people have a ciggie instead of food, most smokers I know are slim because of this. Its when they give up they pile on the weight and then wonder which is the most unhealthy., smoking or being obese.

[babies12]

You're right, it is a smoker's right to smoke or not, but it's not their right to take away someone else's life because of their actions. As I said, I'm sympathetic to the smoking addiction, but I'm more sympathetic to a person's right to live.

 

You know, I find it funny how many people on CC are so protective of the employees aboard cruise ships (ex tipping), yet some of these same protective people think it's okay to affect the quality of these employees lives by smoking around them because "it's my vacation." For now, smoking is allowed, but it is my most sincere hope that it becomes even more limited to help ensure the safety and well being of everyone on board. It's anyone's right to agree or disagree, but my mind is made up (and science agrees with me).

 

Geez, quit getting so dramatic, people are on vacation. If you can't handle a smoker on a cruise maybe you shouldn't be cruising then.

[boaterette]

Sorry, but it may soon be your turn to try to "find a comfortable place on board to enjoy". I am hoping for a total ban on smoking on balconies. We've had several bad experiences with smokers in the stateroom next to us forcing us to abandon our balcony due to their almost constant smoking. And having to move from a favorite lounge chair because someone next to us started smoking is a nusiance as well. I now sail on Celebrity more often because of their bans on smoking on balconies and most of the plublic areas. RCI, please follow Celebrity's lead.

 

Then please sail on celebrity.

[sammee]

Actually, I would think smokers who quit are more likely to be obese. I gained over 30 pounds when I quit.

 

 

Only 30, lol. Doctor warned my hubby when he quit, he easily doubled his weight over the years. You eat more when you quit, because you are trying to replace the cig., That's why some doctors recomend support groups, or dieting tips such as celery or carrot sticks, things to keep your hands busy.

[996turbos]

I'm just adding my voice if the RCL people are reading this. We would love to stop for drinks at Boleros or in the dance club, but the smoke makes visiting and using those venues almost impossible. I believe the smokers should have have outside designated areas to use or have a well ventilated cigar lounge. General public areas should be smoke free. Just my opinion.:)

[NancyIL]

I think banning smoking in the casino on formal days/nights is a great idea. The smokers, while inconvenienced.....survived. Little by little smoking should be banned from various areas of the ship......on the Freedom, the entire 4th deck by the casino reeked of smoke all the time :(

 

I returned from my first Celebrity cruise last weekend, and it was so nice to have a smoke-free casino all the time! I don't spend much time in the casino, but you usually have to walk through it to get to the theater.

[nutzo]

Both smoking and being over weight can be bad for your health, but it really depends on quantity.

　

Someone who has one or 2 smokes a day is not going to have the same health problems as someone who smokes 2 or 3 packs a day.

　

Same goes for weight. Overweight is usually divided in 3 groups, over weight (BMI<30), obese (BMI >30<35), and morbidly obese (BMI>35). A lot of studies put all 3 of these groups together to try an scare people with the numbers. In the few studies I've seen that have report these groups separately, Most of the serious health problems are among the morbidly obese. The obese group only had slightly more (single digit increase) in health problems, and the overweight groups health was almost identical to the normal weight group.

 

I'm not affect by your over-eating unless you trip and fall on me :eek: However, your smoking does affect my alergies, so anywhere people are allowed to smoke on the ship, I'll just avoid.

 

[Captain Jake]

Not entirely true, if smokers are obese, they would probably be obese if they didnt smoke. Most people have a ciggie instead of food, most smokers I know are slim because of this. Its when they give up they pile on the weight and then wonder which is the most unhealthy., smoking or being obese.

 

In the US 20% of non smoking adults have weight issues while 25% of smokers do,

but it is true if smokers replace the cigs with a gum drop for instance they can put on the weight because an extra 100 calories a day can equal putting on a pound a month but if you replace smoking with exercise you will lose weight.Support groups,celery sticks and sugar free chewing gums also work

:cj