Smoking Policy & On Deck For a Cure...Hyprcritical?

[twodjs]

I find it hypocritical that Holland America strongly supports "On Deck For a Cure" walks on every cruise and at the same time allows smoking in common areas, balconies and the Casino!

[POA1]

It seems kind of mean to want to stop people from raising money to fight breast cancer just because people smoke on the ship. The Federal Government & most state governments raise revenue by taxing cigarettes. Should we stop government funding for cancer research because of that? It strikes me as a pretty heavy handed response.

 

I, for one applaud the people who take part in the charity walks. It's very nice of them to take time out of their vacations to raise money for charity.

Edited June 3, 2014 by POA1

[twodjs]

I do strongly support the walks. I am suggesting that HAL update their Smoking Policy.

[Mytime2014]

I do strongly support the walks. I am suggesting that HAL update their Smoking Policy.

 

suggesting it here is like peeing in the ocean. Be clear to corporate that you will no longer be spending $xx,xxx amount of money every 3-4 months on their cruises and that they can reach you on the ______ when they change their policy.

 

otherwise, it just seems like you are trying to create a hostile environment on the board and that's kind of not in the guidelines.

[POA1]

I do strongly support the walks. I am suggesting that HAL update their Smoking Policy.

 

With all due respect, that's not what your original post said . My wife and I don't smoke; never have. I get the fact that you are anti smoking. It's well within your rights to petition the cruise line to get rid of smoking, and barring that, take your vacation dollars elsewhere. But to suggest that there is something wrong/hypocritical with raising money to fight breast cancer just because there is balcony / casino / outdoor smoking seems grossly unfair to the good people who are trying to help.

[twodjs]

There is no hostility here. I respectfully believe that if enough Holland America passengers on Cruise Critic "rock the boat" by expressing their opinion that Holland America's policy on smoking in the common areas, balconies and the Casino is outdated and needs to better limit smoking, Corporate will listen. Or we can just keep quiet...and nothing changes. Any more thoughts?

[twodjs]

I thought I was very clear in my opening post - but let me again state that I believe strongly that Holland America, because they support On Deck For a Cure, should take a stronger stand and update their smoking policy to reflect scientific findings and public opinion by more aggressively limiting smoking. Times change and policies need to keep up!

[DaveOKC]

It does seem a bit strange to hold events to fight one type of cancer while basically promoting the major cause of another.

 

I never have been a smoker, so I really cannot understand the attraction of it, but lots of people do and I get that. If they decide to smoke, that up to them (unless it overly impacts others of course) and I against banning smoking just because it likely is bad for the smoker. I ride motorcycles and it is more dangerous than traveling in a car, but I would not want someone else telling me I cannot do it due to the increased risk.

 

IMO, part of the problem with smoking is that the cause and effect of it varies so much by individual that it causes smokers to dismiss the danger of it. After all, we have all known people who smoked all their lives and never seemed to be impacted by it, while we also know other smokers who have developed lung cancer at an early age. Just my opinion of course.

 

I guess the answer is that if HAL's smoking policy greatly bothers you, you should write them and let them know and then follow through by not purchasing their product. Having spent my career in retailing, I can attest to the power of this approach.

 

DaveOKC

[cruiseing marly]

I do think smokers are just as concerned about cancer as we all are!

[sherilyn70]

I find it hypocritical that Holland America strongly supports "On Deck For a Cure" walks on every cruise and at the same time allows smoking in common areas, balconies and the Casino!

Cancer patient and non smoker here... I have to respectfully disagree. The decision to smoke is a personal one and while it does increase your odds is not a death sentence. Just as those that want to over eat, indulge in fatty foods, drink etc make their own choices. One thing I get sick of hearing about is that this cancer is somehow my own fault. As long as the smoking isn't everywhere then I'm okay with this.

 

As for the cancer support walks, are they still doing them? I had heard they were non cancer specific now and not breast only. I hope that is true. :)

 

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[CRUZBUDS]

It's sort of like CVS Pharmacies decision to stop selling tobacco. The realized they looked hypocritical promoting wellness while profiting from selling cigarettes. :)

[sail7seas]

HAL used to conduct the fund raising walks for Komen Breast Cancer Funding but has broadened it to include all cancers. It is no longer just breast cancer fund raising.

 

HAL as a corporation if very philanthropic and supports many good causes. They do many good works not only out of headquarters in Seattle but on the ships as well and in/for various ports the ships visit. The crews aboard do a great deal of 'good works'.

 

Edited June 3, 2014 by sail7seas

[sail7seas]

It's sort of like CVS Pharmacies decision to stop selling tobacco. The realized they looked hypocritical promoting wellness while profiting from selling cigarettes. :)

 

 

Actually, in our community isn't wasn't CVS or Walgreen's or any others company's decision to stop selling cigarettes if they

sell prescription Rx or other health items. It is a local ordinance..... the law made them do it.

 

Edited June 3, 2014 by sail7seas

[Lis2065]

They were still doing the cancer support walks in January on the Oosterdam. I don't recall if it was specifically for breast cancer however.

[LindaM]

There is no hostility here. I respectfully believe that if enough Holland America passengers on Cruise Critic "rock the boat" by expressing their opinion that Holland America's policy on smoking in the common areas, balconies and the Casino is outdated and needs to better limit smoking, Corporate will listen. Or we can just keep quiet...and nothing changes. Any more thoughts?

 

I understood completely what you were trying to express. I'm sorry others took this opportunity to turn it around on you. I agree it is hypocritical. You did not say you didn't support raising money for breast cancer.

 

By the way, there are lots more suffering with other types of cancer, which also need money and awareness. As a 2 time survivor of other types of serious cancers, why can't HAL support them as well??? Breast cancer is not the only cancer out there! Personally, I think we should walk for ALL types of cancer research---like the organization that does their major fundraiser around Labor Day.

 

Corporate will listen when it affects their bottom line.

[LindaM]

HAL used to conduct the fund raising walks for Komen Breast Cancer Funding but has broadened it to include all cancers. It is no longer just breast cancer fund raising.

 

HAL as a corporation if very philanthropic and supports many good causes. They do many good works but out of headquarters in Seattle as well as on the ships and in/for various ports the ships visit. The crews aboard do a great deal of 'good works'.

 

 

I posted before I read all the posts!! Hurray for HAL. Now I will participate!!

[Lis2065]

HAL used to conduct the fund raising walks for Komen Breast Cancer Funding but has broadened it to include all cancers. It is no longer just breast cancer fund raising.

 

HAL as a corporation if very philanthropic and supports many good causes. They do many good works but out of headquarters in Seattle as well as on the ships and in/for various ports the ships visit. The crews aboard do a great deal of 'good works'.

 

 

Thanks for the clarification - good to know.

[sail7seas]

Sorry for all the typos and mixed up language but the message is the same. :)

[sherilyn70]

By the way, there are lots more suffering with other types of cancer, which also need money and awareness. As a 2 time survivor of other types of serious cancers, why can't HAL support them as well??? Breast cancer is not the only cancer out there! Personally, I think we should walk for ALL types of cancer research---like the organization that does their major fundraiser around Labor day.

I know a lot of us feel that way and are finally being heard. I'm particularly vocal about it locally and I am starting to see change. I have a sarcoma that has no cure. I was thrilled when I heard that HAL changed their charity to all cancers. I hate pink, the campaign makes me (and many others) very angry.

 

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[OVgirl]

The new program is called Walk for a Cause with money going to many cancer research centres in a number of countries.

 

So it will support research into all kinds of cancers including lung, liver, prostate etc.

[iancal]

There is a great deal of research that appears to indicate that breast cancer occurs extremely infrequently in countries that do not have a dairy industry and where the consumption of dairy products are very low.. China pre mid 80's is one. Should the cruise lines take away all dairy products?

 

What about other issues. If heart ailments/stokes were a cause, should the cruise line cease serving food to obese passengers. This would be a huge money saver for them. Especially in America where obesity rates are so alarmingly high.

Edited June 3, 2014 by iancal

[iancal]

I saw the Komen numbers a few years ago in a US pub.

 

As I recall the numbers were not very good vis a vis how much was spent on fund raising/admin and how much went to where it was actually meant to.

 

There are some huge differences. We reviewed our giving several years ago and made significant changes. Fortunately we have a business mag. in Canada that publishes some of the stats-including salary data. We were shocked at some of the data. Our version of the IRS also provides financial data about registered charities to the public.

Edited June 3, 2014 by iancal

[BruceMuzz]

Countless studies have linked the smoke and fumes from the types of fuel burned by cruise ships to several different types of cancer.

 

Knowing that, wouldn't it be hypocritical for someone who is alarmed by the high incidence of cancer to even take a cruise?

[JerseyJaguar]

I saw the Komen numbers a few years ago in a US pub.

 

As I recall the numbers were not very good vis a vis how much was spent on fund raising/admin and how much went to where it was actually meant to.

it was shown that very little went to research.

 

The bonus of the scandal of them politicizing their organization was that other organizations are getting a chance now when before they had been pushed aside because Komen had better PR.

[navybankerteacher]

Virtually every organization can be seen as hypocritical in some fashion when examined closely. Government getting tax revenues from cigarettes while requiring health warnings; states selling lottery tickets to people who cannot afford to make such losing bets and then providing welfare support; dentists who give lollipops to child patients; parents who give their children junk food and then shop at Whole Foods; people who go to church and pray and then despise their neighbors -- it's just part of being human, or being run by humans: we happen to be not perfect, but that is what makes us fun.