This Thread Is To Be Used For All Discussions About HAL's On Board Smoking Policies

[Cruise Junky]

But if HAL changes it's smoking policy then what will you all have to complain about, oh I'm sure you'll find something. No I don't smoke and have never been bothered by it, I don't let other people run my life. But some of you are fanatics. Why do you want every ship?

 

People don't want every ship but they would like an option on HAL where they are not smoked out of their balcony.

[RuthC]

But if HAL changes it's smoking policy then what will you all have to complain about, oh I'm sure you'll find something.

I expect another smoking area will become the next target. The campaign to eliminate smoking areas, especially in favored places, will not end.

[RJ2002]

FWIW, this is the reply I received from HAL about my comment on smoking. On our most recent HAL cruise, on the Prinsendam, we unfortunately had prolific smokers on the verandah of the cabin next to us.

 

"Thank you for contacting Mr. Orlando Ashford. Mr. Ashford has reviewed your feedback and asked me to respond on his behalf.

 

We understand your concerns regarding smoking on board, and truly regret any negative impact this had on your recent sailing. We endeavor to balance the needs of both our smoking and nonsmoking guests. Currently, our policy is to allow guests to smoke on their stateroom verandahs and designated areas on deck, as well as in the casino on select evenings each sailing; cigar and pipe smoking is restricted to outside decks and verandahs. However, guest input is always welcome and as attitudes toward smoking continue to change we will revisit this policy with comments such as yours in mind."

[Aquahound]

I expect another smoking area will become the next target. The campaign to eliminate smoking areas, especially in favored places, will not end.

 

Nope. Wrong again. Just like I was on every other line, I will be happy when balcony smoking is eliminated. I don't care about the other smoking areas that currently exist. For the most part, they do not bother me.

[Cindy]

Nope. Wrong again. Just like I was on every other line, I will be happy when balcony smoking is eliminated. I don't care about the other smoking areas that currently exist. For the most part, they do not bother me.

 

 

 

I agree with that...I can avoid most public smoking areas, but the only way to avoid smoke coming from an adjacent balcony is to avoid using the not inexpensive amenity that I have paid for.

 

 

Cindy

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[MadManOfBethesda]

People don't want every ship but they would like an option on HAL where they are not smoked out of their balcony.

 

Don't kid yourself. People will use the same excuse they use now to complain about smoking on HAL even though every other cruise line restricts smoking to a greater extent. It wouldn't matter if HAL adjusted their policy to prohibit smoking completely on all but one ship in the fleet; the complaints would still continue as follows:

 

But, waaaaahhh, the Smokingdam is my favorite ship and I shouldn't have to sail on a different ship. Smoking should be banned so I can sail on my favorite ship without the possibility of encountering smoke on my balcony.

 

But, waaaaaahhh, the Smokingdam has unique itineraries and I should be able to sail on her without the possibility of encountering smoke on my balcony. I don't care if HAL prohibits smoking on every other ship in its fleet; I want to sail on the Smokingdam!!!

****************

 

Oh, and by the way....

 

I'm a non-smoker. (Or more accurately, a former cigar smoker.)

 

I just think that it is patently ridiculous for people to continue to b1tch & moan about the mere possibility of encountering a neighbor smoking on a balcony when they have countless options to sail on cruise lines that prohibit such smoking.

Edited July 29, 2016 by MadManOfBethesda

[tip]

I agree with that...I can avoid most public smoking areas, but the only way to avoid smoke coming from an adjacent balcony is to avoid using the not inexpensive amenity that I have paid for.

 

 

Cindy

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

Exactly! And I should not have to book another cruise line to do it!!

[alwaysfrantic]

Haha. The Somkingdam

[mightycruisequeen]

Don't kid yourself. People will use the same excuse they use now to complain about smoking on HAL even though every other cruise line restricts smoking to a greater extent. It wouldn't matter if HAL adjusted their policy to prohibit smoking completely on all but one ship in the fleet; the complaints would still continue as follows:

 

But, waaaaahhh, the Smokingdam is my favorite ship and I shouldn't have to sail on a different ship. Smoking should be banned so I can sail on my favorite ship without the possibility of encountering smoke on my balcony.

 

But, waaaaaahhh, the Smokingdam has unique itineraries and I should be able to sail on her without the possibility of encountering smoke on my balcony. I don't care if HAL prohibits smoking on every other ship in its fleet; I want to sail on the Smokingdam!!!

****************

 

Oh, and by the way....

 

I'm a non-smoker. (Or more accurately, a former cigar smoker.)

 

I just think that it is patently ridiculous for people to continue to b1tch & moan about the mere possibility of encountering a neighbor smoking on a balcony when they have countless options to sail on cruise lines that prohibit such smoking.

 

I for one check this thread every few days, and I always get my hopes up when I see there are new posts,

thinking maybe there's been a change in the HAL onboard smoking policy. (Evidently, there hasn't :( )

 

By the way, this is the one thread where HAL's smoking policy is being discussed.

This is the designated space for it.

If that's troubling for you, it's very easy to avoid this thread.

It's really possible to scroll down if you have absolutely nothing

to add to the conversation except mean comments about pax who are

just looking for cleaner air on their balconies.

[RuthC]

Nope. Wrong again. Just like I was on every other line, I will be happy when balcony smoking is eliminated. I don't care about the other smoking areas that currently exist. For the most part, they do not bother me.

Oh. I didn't realize you speak for everyone who wants smoking restricted.

 

So, what you're saying is that once smoking on HAL balconies is banned, there will never again be a post here complaining about smoking anywhere else on the ship.

Right. :rolleyes:

[Cruise Junky]

Oh. I didn't realize you speak for everyone who wants smoking restricted.

 

So, what you're saying is that once smoking on HAL balconies is banned, there will never again be a post here complaining about smoking anywhere else on the ship.

Right. :rolleyes:

 

Smoking threads are pretty non existent on other lines that don't think it's 1970 anymore.

[corkpopr]

21% of adult Americans smoke. at 36 million people that is one of the largest minority groups in the world.

[LMaxwell]

 

So, what you're saying is that once smoking on HAL balconies is banned, there will never again be a post here complaining about smoking anywhere else on the ship.

Right. :rolleyes:

 

Why be concerned with hypotheticals? What we are dealing with now is the overwhelming majority voicing opinions to the company that they want it banned from balconies. Very simple. You can hold a contrary opinion but it's not likely to be a policy in your favor for very much longer.

[LMaxwell]

21% of adult Americans smoke. at 36 million people that is one of the largest minority groups in the world.

 

It's actually under 17% now, and the youth age bracket is under 9%. Those of higher education and affluence tend to smoke at a much lower rate as well. The 21% number was from studies over a decade ago but education and attrition have brought that down.

[Airnocker]

21% of adult Americans smoke. at 36 million people that is one of the largest minority groups in the world.

 

Neither using nor spreading toxic substances qualifies anyone as a protected class minority.

HAL could eliminate this thread very rapidly simply by eliminating smoking, period.

[sammiedawg]

It's actually under 17% now, and the youth age bracket is under 9%. Those of higher education and affluence tend to smoke at a much lower rate as well. The 21% number was from studies over a decade ago but education and attrition have brought that down.

 

I was also coming here to correct smoking statistics posted earlier today.

2014 16.8 per cent of US adults smoked per CDC

2015 15 per cent of US adults smoked per CDC.

These statistics reflect more than fifty years of intense anti smoking messages from the US government, public health agencies and the medical community. Great progress is being made in decreasing the smoking rate of teens.

Sadly, statistics continue to reflect smokers are less educated and less affluent than the non smoking population.

 

I didn't know Seabourne had a liberal smoking policy but I've never met anyone who sailed on this line.

[HUNKY]

Dr. Tom Frieden, the director of the CDC, stated that in 2015 15.1% of American adults smoked. The decline of smoking has not yet abated. HAL should provide comfortable places for those who wish to smoke, but it would be nice if balconies were not one of them.

 

The CDC has very detailed info on who does and who doesn't smoke - very interesting read.

 

Guess Sammie... searches faster than I do! :)

Edited July 30, 2016 by HUNKY

[RuthC]

You can hold a contrary opinion but it's not likely to be a policy in your favor for very much longer.

You have no idea what my opinion on balcony smoking is, now do you. Not a clue.

[sammiedawg]

Dr. Tom Frieden, the director of the CDC, stated that in 2015 15.1% of American adults smoked. The decline of smoking has not yet abated. HAL should provide comfortable places for those who wish to smoke, but it would be nice if balconies were not one of them.

 

The CDC has very detailed info on who does and who doesn't smoke - very interesting read.

 

Guess Sammie... searches faster than I do! :)

 

You are pretty fast yourself!

I searched quickly but also have the advantage of attending medical continuing education programs.

[scm1848]

I have a doctorate degree, have income in the top 2% of the population, and I SMOKE!! I am not evil, nor unkind. Since childhood, I have followed the rules. Rules allow me to smoke on my balcony. You know that going in. Why malign me or other smokers?!?!

[Airnocker]

"I also just wrote HAL with the basic same comments as yours. I'm very limited in my mobility, even with my scooter. My Verandah is my home for the cruises we are on and IF HAL bans smoking on it then I will take hubby's money and stay at home.

 

If all of us who are smokers take the time to write HAL with our promises to walk or roll away from them.........Our voices may sway the Policy to stay the same. One can only hope:)"

 

 

All of the smokers in California cryed the same way years ago before it was banned in restaurants and bars throughout the state.

Guess what, business went up, up a lot. Might HAL get it?

[kennicott]

I have recently been on Celebrity, Princess, and Royal Caribbean, and have not noticed anyone violating the smoking policy on any of those cruises.

 

 

Cindy

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

I agree completely, except we do only Princess and Regent, since we quit HAL, due cigar balcony smoking. No violations on those lines, period, and we cruise a lot.

 

On this thread we often read allegations that cheating is rampant on lines with near zero smoking policies. I say that is "bunk", based upon our experience. More than likely such assertions are fabrications alluding to similar age old "straw man" subterfuges, entirely made up to divert attention from reality.

[Airnocker]

I have a doctorate degree, have income in the top 2% of the population, and I SMOKE!! I am not evil, nor unkind. Since childhood, I have followed the rules. Rules allow me to smoke on my balcony. You know that going in. Why malign me or other smokers?!?!

 

No maligning at all. So long as you do whatever you might in a manner so long as to have NO affect on any other unwilling participant I care not a wit. I hope you'll follow the rules when HAL changes the rules.

[MadManOfBethesda]

I for one check this thread every few days, and I always get my hopes up when I see there are new posts,

thinking maybe there's been a change in the HAL onboard smoking policy. (Evidently, there hasn't :( )

 

By the way, this is the one thread where HAL's smoking policy is being discussed.

This is the designated space for it.

 

Yes, which is exactly why I posted in it. Now, doesn't that make sense to you? Or are you of the opinion that only anti-smoking posts are allowed in this thread? Because if that were true, it would be a pretty one-sided "discussion" now, wouldn't it?

 

If that's troubling for you, it's very easy to avoid this thread.

It's really possible to scroll down if you have absolutely nothing

to add to the conversation except mean comments about pax who are

just looking for cleaner air on their balconies.

 

It's not troubling for me at all. And I did have something to add to the conversation: A poster made a point about the HAL smoking policy and I offered a rebuttal to that point. I'm sorry that you didn't care for the nature and tone of my rebuttal.

 

Well, actually, I'm not.

[Fouremco]

All of the smokers in California cryed the same way years ago before it was banned in restaurants and bars throughout the state.

 

Guess what, business went up, up a lot. Might HAL get it?

The same result has been noted in most jurisdictions where smoking has been banned, including here in Ontario. The doomsday predictions of bars and restaurants having to close due to a lack of customers soon changed as business boomed. It's too bad that HAL either can't or won't see that it may lose some customers but will undoubtedly gain more than it loses.