Basic Poll: Would you report someone smoking on their balcony?

[Big Tillie]

Yes, I would report it. I am allergic to smoke and sometimes get very ill from it. So I would not be able to use a balcony if this happened to me.

 

You can not be allergic to smoke as it contains no allergens. You may be sensitive to smoke or it may be an irritant, but no way are you allergic to smoke.

[firemanbobswife]

You can not be allergic to smoke as it contains no allergens. You may be sensitive to smoke or it may be an irritant, but no way are you allergic to smoke.

 

You can be allergic to just about anything that exists. I know someone who is allergic to Benadryl - the very medicine that is used to counteract allergic reactions. So, yes, you can be allergic to smoke.

Edited June 28, 2016 by firemanbobswife

[DnD_Cruisin]

You can be allergic to anything that exists. I know someone who is allergic to Benadryl - the very medicine that is used to counteract allergic reactions.

 

The true definition of an alergy and smoke. "Alergy" is one of the most miss-used terms I know of.

 

https://www.sharecare.com/health/impact-nicotine-addiction-on-body/is-cigarette-smoke-an-allergen

Edited June 28, 2016 by DnD_Cruisin

[firemanbobswife]

The true definition of an alergy and smoke

 

https://www.sharecare.com/health/impact-nicotine-addiction-on-body/is-cigarette-smoke-an-allergen

 

People like to use the terms "allergic" and "sensitive" in the same way when in fact they are are not. However, you most certainly can be allergic to smoke. It might not be the smoke per say, but a component in the smoke that can cause a reaction.

 

Any true allergic reaction could be as mild as an irritation like redness, or other local symptoms. On the other end of the spectrum would be the throat swelling up in an anaphylaxis episode which could lead to death.

 

Just because someone has an allergy doesn't mean they present in an anaphylaxis crisis which is what many people think of when one says they are allergic to something.

[dtb55]

In a heartbeat if I could smell it.

 

 

Denise

[Computer Nerd]

You can be allergic to just about anything that exists. I know someone who is allergic to Benadryl - the very medicine that is used to counteract allergic reactions. So, yes, you can be allergic to smoke.

 

so in the interest of customer safety, there should be a rule against wearing perfume as well, right..... ;)

[DnD_Cruisin]

I don't deny or even argue that smoke is an irritant that can cause people to have an issue. People with allergies are more susceptible to it.

 

But with all the studies done to date no allergen has been found in tobacco smoke. Until that happens ... no allergen = no alergy.

[RHilla619]

If it was bothering me and I felt like I was breathing in second hand smoke, then yes I would. I consider myself to be very health conscious and would prefer to enjoy my balcony as well, without sucking in someone else's smoke. However when I was on Oasis my neighbor smoked often, but I never noticed the smell/smoke.

[firemanbobswife]

so in the interest of customer safety, there should be a rule against wearing perfume as well, right..... ;)

 

If they want to make a rule against wearing perfume, then so be it. One less thing for me to pack :cool:

[DnD_Cruisin]

If they want to make a rule against wearing perfume, then so be it. One less thing for me to pack :cool:

 

Nice. Win win! 😃

[firemanbobswife]

I don't deny or even argue that smoke is an irritant that can cause people to have an issue. People with allergies are more susceptible to it.

 

But with all the studies done to date no allergen has been found in tobacco smoke. Until that happens ... no allergen = no alergy.

 

A person can be allergic to a substance in the smoke which can cause a reaction. Example - they are allergic to nicotine which is present in cigarette smoke. They can have a reaction to that.

 

I do believe that true allergies to it are very rare, but they are by no means impossible. Once again, many people use the term "allergy" and "sensitive" or "irritant" interchangeably when in fact they are not. I do believe that many people incorrectly label their sensitivities as allergies because that is what they believe they are.

Edited June 28, 2016 by firemanbobswife

[BattyL]

You can not be allergic to smoke as it contains no allergens. You may be sensitive to smoke or it may be an irritant, but no way are you allergic to smoke.

 

I am a smoker. I would not report a balcony smoker unless I saw cigarette butts go off the side of the ship. Then we're talking a safety risk to everyone. A whiff of smoke here and there is no big deal to me. However, I will not step foot in the casino because closed-in spaces filled with smokers is just plain nasty! I feel that smoking outdoors is way less offensive than smoking indoors.

 

What annoys me more is people on their balcony who are having such an obnoxiously loud conversation that everyone can hear it, and it goes on and on and on. That disrupts my enjoyment of my balcony the most. I go to my balcony to get away from the crowd and just have quiet solitude with a book and the ocean.

 

When I booked my first solo cruise on Princess I got a balcony room just to sit out there with my book, a cocktail, and cigarettes. They changed the smoking policy a month before I sailed. :( Turns out I smoked less on that cruise since I had to leave my sweet balcony to go elsewhere. So maybe not such a bad thing.

 

I do like the idea of a section of balcony rooms in one area where smoking would be allowed, but I'm not sure if I would get one.

 

I am a former smoker and agree with this post. I don't care if I get a whiff of cigarette smoke but the loud obnoxious, drunken conversations really irritate me!

[Jayfo]

Twice last week I woke up to cigarette butts on my balcony. So gross. Aft...so I don't want to hear the excuse that I booked my balcony on the "wrong" side of the ship just underneath where they congregate to speed up their expiration date. ;)

 

So the smokers know they are not supposed to smoke on their balconies or attempt to throw butts overboard. But they still do. Go figure. :rolleyes:

Edited June 29, 2016 by Jayfo

[DnD_Cruisin]

A person can be allergic to a substance in the smoke which can cause a reaction. Example - they are allergic to nicotine which is present in cigarette smoke. They can have a reaction to that.

 

I do believe that true allergies to it are very rare, but they are by no means impossible. Once again, many people use the term "allergy" and "sensitive" or "irritant" interchangeably when in fact they are not. I do believe that many people incorrectly label their sensitivities as allergies because that is what they believe they are.

 

I understand the point you are making in the 1st paragraph. We could probably argue the semantics for years. So I'll go with respectfully agree to disagree 😀

 

However, I agree whole heartedly with your second paragraph. It conveyed my thoughts exactly. For some, it's just easier to say I am allergic (and for some empowering) than to just say it irritates my allergies.

 

Regardless ... the smoke can create discomfort for some and as such they still have the right and expectation to a smoke free environment ...if that is the rule.

Edited June 29, 2016 by DnD_Cruisin

[firemanbobswife]

I understand the point you are making in the 1st paragraph. We could probably argue the semantics for years. So I'll go with respectfully agree to disagree 😀

 

However, I agree whole heartedly with your second paragraph. It conveyed my thoughts exactly. For some, it's just easier to say I am allergic (and for some empowering) than to just say it irritates my allergies.

 

Regardless ... the smoke can create discomfort for some and as such they still have the right and expectation to a smoke free environment ...if that is the rule.

 

I'm cool with that :D

[MommaBear55]

You can not be allergic to smoke as it contains no allergens. You may be sensitive to smoke or it may be an irritant, but no way are you allergic to smoke.

 

Please read articles from NIH, Medscape, Health tap, Allergy and Astma Association to find out that there are allergens in a number of different brands of cigarettes.

[DnD_Cruisin]

Please read articles from NIH, Medscape, Health tap, Allergy and Astma Association to find out that there are allergens in a number of different brands of cigarettes.

 

Please provide links...cause all I found was "toxins and irritants" and "no record of allergens" listed on those sites.

[MommaBear55]

Please provide links...cause all I found was "toxins and irritants" and "no record of allergens" listed on those sites.

 

http://Www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/agents/allergy/smoke

http://Www.medscape.com/view article/589970

http://Www.livestrong.com/article/538513-the-symptoms-of-allergy-to-cigarettes

http://Www.rightdiagnosis.com/c/cigarette_smoke_allergy

http://Www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/PubMed/17376094

http://Www.nejm.org/doi full/10.1056/NEJM 198003133021107

 

There are several other sources as well. Most articles say that nicotine is not an allergen (only found one that said nicotine is an allergen, but not a scientific reputable source), it is the substances that are mixed in some cigarettes that are allergens, and some cigarettes have no allergens in them. All smoke is an irritant.

 

What will be interesting as more data comes out is the health impact on those using e cigs and those who are exposed to second hand e cigs.

[DnD_Cruisin]

Sadly the NIH links are broken.

 

Medscape is a member site I don't have access too.

 

No where in the livestrong article does it say allergens exist. Toxins and irritants only.

 

Right diagnosis specifically states it's not a true allergy and found no allergens

 

Are there other articles maybe that substantiate your previous statement? Sadly the ones I can see refute it.

Edited June 29, 2016 by DnD_Cruisin

[Hapytocruise]

Absolutely

 

 

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[MommaBear55]

Sadly the NIH links are broken.

 

Medscape is a member site I don't have access too.

 

No where in the livestrong article does it say allergens exist. Toxins and irritants only.

 

Right diagnosis specifically states it's not a true allergy and found no allergens

 

Are there other articles maybe that substantiate your previous statement? Sadly the ones I can see refute it.

 

Paragraph two of the Livestrong article describes the allergic response.

 

I cannot get you into PubMed or the other medical journals that document the research.

 

No matter what the subject, there are studies with scientific validity that support evidence. The problem with smoking studies, whether it be allergy vs irritant or the role smoking plays on cancers is that the evidence will always be "B" rated, as it is based on retrospective studies, as there is no way to do a double blinded study.

 

Whether or not an individual believes that smoking is an irritant or an allergen, for people who have a reaction to cigarette smoke, the medication that treats the reaction is the same medication as treats an allergic reaction. Do all people who claim allergy have one? Absolutely not. Does everyone who coughs from cigarette smoke need antiallergy med? No. Sometimes just by removing oneself from the environment, the symptoms subside.

 

And, since smoking is not allowed on balconies, those who purchase balconies have a reasonable expectation of expecting a smoke free environment. Before that rule was passed, I was one who did not buy a balcony, because I could not expect others not to smoke, as it was allowed.

[DnD_Cruisin]

I'm not in disagreement with you on the rules and a right to a smoke free environment on the balconies. That's the rules and how it should be. My problem is in the allergy statement only.

 

As for the prescribed treatment argument ... I offer aspirin. Primarily prescribed as a pain reliever and a blood thinner. Just because I have a headache and am prescribed aspirin does it mean I also have heart disease.

 

As for "believing" whether something is an irritant or an allergen is irrelevant. Allergens are a finite group of fully identified items. It either is or it isn't. Believing it is doesn't make it so.

 

Anyway...I agree that smoking is harmful, leads to a myriad of health issue not the least of which is death. My complaint is the use of the term "allergy" associated with it.

 

I wish you all the best but will bow out of this argument as it really isn't the topic of this thread.

 

Happy sailing!

[kloreece]

Yes.

 

 

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[jbertakis]

I can't remember a ship burning down from a cigarette, but this day and age I don't want to smell smoke on my balcony, or anywhere it's not allowed.

[ReneeFLL]

Yes if I could smell it. I have reported people before and they were told to stop and they did.

Edited June 29, 2016 by ReneeFLL