Smoking Policy changes

[tallship]

Tom-

Agree that it s currently a bit unclear.

[DaveFr]

Tom,

 

Now that the phase-in dates have passed, I assume Regent will rewrite the FAQ and remove the Voyager Lounge, the Stars Lounge, and the Stars Nightclub from the list of places where it is permitted to smoke.

[den666]

I have just been reading the change in smoking policy from Regent. I have also been reading the replies to the original post, some in my opinion quite ridiculous, "holding your breath" really..?

 

Both myself and my wife are what i would call "social smokers", we are aware that others dont either approve or share our enjoyment. Then again we dont enjoy watching passenger falling over due to drinking too much alcohol, nor do we enjoy chair hoggers, or watching some passengers berate staff simply because they can. Unlike our dislikes though, nothing is done..

 

Why is it the non smokers always expect their own way? What is wrong with non-smokers going elsewhere? As a smoker I am not doing anything illegal, so please cut down on the hysteria.. Maybe we are lucky in Europe, because we dont have anyone allergic to cigarette smoke here. Allergic? Really?

 

We always obey whatever the smoking policy is on board any ship we sail on, but Regent changing policy without giving prior notice is simply unacceptable.

 

The reason we booked on Regent was precisely because of their smoking policy. I have instructed our TA that I will be needing the £9000 spent on our holiday returned for a clear breach of contract. At some point someone has to make a stand against the increasing discrimination that smokers have to endure. I am an extremely considerate person regarding those that choose not to smoke, but that is never enough for the non smokers. Even segregated areas for like minded people aren't enough it would seem.

[Hambagahle]

It really is good news, especially Re Stars Lounge. I couldn't breathe when I was going to the show lounge and had to walk through there!

 

What I would really like is a total ban on cigars ship wide. I know people who smoke the, love their smell but most others think they smell like an open sewer...and the smoke carries on the pool deck.

 

On our recent Oceania Riviera cruise I was really delighted to see that the outdoor smoking area was under the stairs to the deck above the pool deck (deck14) and I was never bothered by any cigarette smoke Around the pool. Also the designated smoking area in the Horizon lounge is almost totally walled off by glass... Wasn't the same on Regent but from now on no need to worry about it - except for the cigars.

[Travelcat2]

den666: While I understand your frustration, the fact is that smokers cannot keep their smoke to themselves -- others around you have to breathe it. I agree that most people are not allergic to cigarette smoke.... but there are some former smokers that have breathing difficulties from their years of smoking. In order to prevent further damage, they need to avoid smoke (usually their doctors have stated this).

 

The Voyager had an issue with smoke wafting up into the computer room. Regent tried to fix the problem but were unable to. Like I said...... if only smokers could keep their smoke to themselves it would be great. The electronic cigarette option does give the smoker the nicotine they need without the smoke. While this is not a healthy option for the smoker, it does allow them to smoke in most places on the ship.

[Wendy The Wanderer]

Here I go agreeing with TC again. den666, as much as I know you have a right to smoke, you can't control where the smoke goes. And people *are* really affected by it. Try asking someone with COPD (emphysema, asthma, chronic broncitis) from years of smoking or being around second-hand smoke.

 

I think the allergy thing is probably overstated, in fact, but as someone who spent almost my whole adult life living with one smoker then another, and several decades as a light, "social" smoker, I don't want to be subjected to that risk any more, thank you very much.

 

Agree that the acceptance of the electronic cigarette is a big step forward (now if they'd only allow nicotine refills for the things to be sold legally in Canada!)

[forevertravel]

Good news on the smoking policy. It's not that we dislike smokers is simply that smoke is not good for anyone and whether you're a social smoker or a smoking fiend that smoke affects other people. I have no desire to have my clothes smelling from smoke or worse still get lung cancer from being around smokers. Having a drink does not affect others. Standing next to a drinker won't do anything to my health. Standing next to a smoker does.

[RachelG]

I am not "allergic" to cigarette smoke in the strict definition of allergies, but being around it makes me start coughing and wheezing. Smokers have no control over where the smoke goes. The electronic cigarettes really do work well, both for people who are addicted to nicotine so badly that they go into withdrawal if they don't have it and for people who are trying to quit smoking. Someone who is a social smoker would have no issues just not smoking.

[UUNetBill]

And from another viewpoint - I am a former cigarette smoker who gave up the habit over 20 years ago, but I do, on occasion, enjoy a nice cigar - usually while on vacation. I know this may sound odd, but while enjoying a nice Churchill in the Connoisseur Club, I was almost run out by the throngs of cigarette smokers crowding in there. Cigar and cigarette smoke are two totally different animals for me - I can hang out in the Connoisseur Club all evening if the mood strikes me, and as long as it's cigars only, I'm fine. But you start adding in a dozen cigarettes or more, it doesn't sit well with me at all.

 

I, for one, would like to see the Connoisseur Club be reserved solely for cigars and pipes...but somehow, I don't see that happening.

[commodoredave]

Both myself and my wife are what i would call "social smokers", we are aware that others dont either approve or share our enjoyment. Then again we dont enjoy watching passenger falling over due to drinking too much alcohol, nor do we enjoy chair hoggers, or watching some passengers berate staff simply because they can. Unlike our dislikes though, nothing is done..

 

Why is it the non smokers always expect their own way?

 

The reason we booked on Regent was precisely because of their smoking policy. I have instructed our TA that I will be needing the £9000 spent on our holiday returned for a clear breach of contract. At some point someone has to make a stand against the increasing discrimination that smokers have to endure.

 

1. Watching a drunk or a rude passenger is not enjoyable, but unlike second-hand smoke it is not dangerous to your health.

 

2. We have a right to a smoke-free and healthy environment. If your smoke does not interfere with that right, I am happy for you to enjoy smoking.

 

3. I don't blame you. If smoking indoors during a cruise is important to you, then you should be patronizing those cruise lines that provide what you want. There are several lines out there that currently have smoking in cabins, balconies and designated indoor areas.

[SuzK]

I loath cigarette smoking and smoking killed both my mother in law and my grandfather. I'm pleased the Regent is starting to limit where people can smoke. Smokers never think that their smoking bothers other people.

Smoking on an airplane, now that was the most idiotic idea ever. As a teen, I was on my way to Hawaii and trapped next to a smoker. She propped her half smoked cancer stick on the arm rest where it rolled into my seat and left me with a nasty burn on my bottom.

 

I think Steve Martin's idea of how you should respond to the question, " do you mind if I smoke?" is " do you mind if I fart?"

[DaveFr]

I just checked the Smoking Policy FAQ and Regent has revised it by removing the Voyager Lounge, the Stars Nightclub and the Stars Lounge from the list of places where smoking is permitted. The revision should remove any confusion over the meaning of the FAQ.

[commodoredave]

I loath cigarette smoking and smoking killed both my mother in law and my grandfather. I'm pleased the Regent is starting to limit where people can smoke. Smokers never think that their smoking bothers other people.

Smoking on an airplane, now that was the most idiotic idea ever. As a teen, I was on my way to Hawaii and trapped next to a smoker. She propped her half smoked cancer stick on the arm rest where it rolled into my seat and left me with a nasty burn on my bottom.

 

I think Steve Martin's idea of how you should respond to the question, " do you mind if I smoke?" is " do you mind if I fart?"

 

Now that's a funny line!:D

[Sheltieluv]

I too applaud Regent's new smoking policy. My beloved aunt, a non-smoker, passed away from lung cancer that was attributed to being subjected to second-hand smoke for years. How anyone in this supposedly enlightened day and age can say that their smoking doesn't affect anyone, think again. I do feel sorry for those who are addicted; I just don't want to breathe those toxins. Bravo, Regent.

[jhp]

And from another viewpoint - I am a former cigarette smoker who gave up the habit over 20 years ago, but I do, on occasion, enjoy a nice cigar - usually while on vacation. I know this may sound odd, but while enjoying a nice Churchill in the Connoisseur Club, I was almost run out by the throngs of cigarette smokers crowding in there. Cigar and cigarette smoke are two totally different animals for me - I can hang out in the Connoisseur Club all evening if the mood strikes me, and as long as it's cigars only, I'm fine. But you start adding in a dozen cigarettes or more, it doesn't sit well with me at all.

 

I, for one, would like to see the Connoisseur Club be reserved solely for cigars and pipes...but somehow, I don't see that happening.

 

Sorry Bill, but I have no tolerance for cigar smoke, and have no idea what a "Churchill" is. I've been "run out" of CC by the smell of cigar smoke in the past. The only reason I would ever have smoked in Stars if empty, otherwise I go outside. So if you get rid of the rest of us, where do you now suggest the other smokers (like me) go? I've often thought I'd like to see the CC reserved only for cigarette smokers....but somehow I don't see that happening either. Our stinks are just different, but not tolerated at all by non-smokers. Anywhere.

 

This is all tongue in cheek. ;) I will not argue with any of the posters above. We all have our demons, and for sure I don't need to be convinced the whole world needs to quit smoking. So please, no comments needed. I already know.

[den666]

When i posted my previous comments regarding Regent changing their smoking policy I was expecting all the usual lines to come out regarding health of other passengers and the ex smokers of course.

 

I think my comments have been taken the wrong way to be honest, so i will try to be more precise.

 

Smokers are not alien, neither are they anti social delinquents looking to annoy as many people as possible. The point I am making is that ships designate certain areas on ships where people who choose can smoke should they wish. These areas by and large are extremely small and never of course in the nice areas of a ship.. We dont bother anyone, but of course non-smokers even though they have the other 99% of the ship to relax or socialise in insist that the smoking bothers them. I have a simple solution, move elsewhere.. It is always the smoker who has to bow to others, yet the cruise ships dont have any problem selling cigarettes to maximise profits, thats ok i suppose? I would call that double standards myself.

 

I repeat..

 

I obey all smoking policies on board any cruise I have paid for, yes paid for.. I know the rules before i book, but my problem is that Regent decided to move the goalposts without any prior warning. This i suggest is not fair.

 

I got a rather flippant reply from Regent, they got an equally flippant reply from me in return.

[forgap]

... I have also been reading the replies to the original post, some in my opinion quite ridiculous, "holding your breath" , really?

 

As a smoker I am not doing anything illegal, so please cut down on the hysteria.. Maybe we are lucky in Europe, because we dont have anyone allergic to cigarette smoke here. Allergic? Really?

 

I think that your comments were misunderstood because of your sarcasm towards non-smokers (see quotes). If you don't want your smoking preferences judged, be cautious about judging the behavior of non-smokers. I agree, if Regent changed the smoking policy to ALLOW smoking in rooms, on balconies and in interior spaces after I had booked, I would seriously consider canceling my trip.

[commodoredave]

When i posted my previous comments regarding Regent changing their smoking policy I was expecting all the usual lines to come out regarding health of other passengers and the ex smokers of course.

 

I think my comments have been taken the wrong way to be honest, so i will try to be more precise.

 

Smokers are not alien, neither are they anti social delinquents looking to annoy as many people as possible. The point I am making is that ships designate certain areas on ships where people who choose can smoke should they wish. These areas by and large are extremely small and never of course in the nice areas of a ship.. We dont bother anyone, but of course non-smokers even though they have the other 99% of the ship to relax or socialise in insist that the smoking bothers them. I have a simple solution, move elsewhere.. It is always the smoker who has to bow to others, yet the cruise ships dont have any problem selling cigarettes to maximise profits, thats ok i suppose? I would call that double standards myself.

 

I repeat..

 

I obey all smoking policies on board any cruise I have paid for, yes paid for.. I know the rules before i book, but my problem is that Regent decided to move the goalposts without any prior warning. This i suggest is not fair.

 

I got a rather flippant reply from Regent, they got an equally flippant reply from me in return.

 

The only safe place to allow smoking is outdoors (and not on balconies) or in a separately ventillated room that has no crew service. You forget that the crew also have to deal with second-hand smoke, which presents a health danger to them.

 

I do agree with your point about insufficient advance notification.

 

However, overall, I applaud Regent's decision and hope it causes other cruise lines to tighten up their smoking policies as well.

[UUNetBill]

The only safe place to allow smoking is outdoors (and not on balconies) or in a separately ventillated room that has no crew service. You forget that the crew also have to deal with second-hand smoke, which presents a health danger to them.

 

Or the separately ventilated room WITH crew service, strictly on a volunteer basis - I'm pretty sure that there are at least a few smokers on the crew who wouldn't mind serving a few drinks in a smoking lounge...

 

The bottom line is you'll never satisfy everyone. I've actually cut way back on my cigar smoking, so spending time in the CC with cigarette smokers isn't as big of an issue for me any more.

 

I guess if I'm not sitting in the lounge with a Cuban all night, I can get up earlier and run some laps in the morning...

[Travelcat2]

Suggest smokers try Seabourn -- as they are the most lenient in terms of their smoking policy. Second choice is Crystal although there is no smoking on balconies. There are options for smokers -- you just need to do research. IMO, stopping smoking in one lounge on each of Regent's ships is a very small change. They already had the strictest smoking policy of the luxury lines. All of the smokers I know already go outside for a cigarette -- whether in the workplace or in their private homes. What Regent is asking smokers to do is what most people are used to.

[HanL]

...... All of the smokers I know already go outside for a cigarette -- whether in the workplace or in their private homes. What Regent is asking smokers to do is what most people are used to.

 

I'am a smoker myself, but I think this is a sensitive answer.

Whether at home or at work, that's exactly what I do.

Live and let live!

[Port 11]

For us, as non-smokers, the strict Smoking Policy on

Regent is the deciding factor for booking with them.

[Travel2Learn]

Smoking is optional and a chosen behavior. Breathing is not optional.

 

Thank you Regent for limiting where smoking is permitted.

[Lovesatq]

This is exciting news since we will be on the Navigator next month. It's funny how when I was growing up (50's & 60's) I never even noticed all the smoke around me and now I can detect it a mile away. Went to Las Vegas a couple of months ago and don't think I'll be returning because of it. I'm just happy most of this generation will not grow up in a cloud of smoke.

[Wendy The Wanderer]

The outdoors is where the crew smokes!