Marriott to make all US, Canada hotels non-smoking

Reuters ^ | 7/19/2006 | Reuters

[xrp]

Marriott to make all US, Canada hotels non-smoking
Wednesday July 19, 6:34 am ET

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Marriott International Inc. (NYSE:MAR - News) on Wednesday said it will make all of its hotels in the United States and Canada entirely non-smoking, beginning in September.

The company said the policy change, which it called the largest in its industry, covers more than 2,300 hotels and corporate apartments with nearly 400,000 rooms.

Marriott, based in Bethesda, Maryland, said more than 90 percent of its guest rooms are already non-smoking. It said more customers have been demanding non-smoking rooms.

The change covers such brands as Marriott, Ritz-Carlton, Renaissance, Courtyard, Residence Inn and Fairfield Inn. Marriott has nearly 2,800 lodging properties in the United States and 67 other countries.

[elkfersupper]

So, when I ask for a non-smoking room, I will get a room that doesn't stink and without burn holes in the carpet and bedding. Sounds like a nice clean place to stay. Are Hertz and Avis planning on something similar for car rentals?

I smoke, and although it rarely happens, I occasionally get cabin fever and the urge to travel.

With airlines, restaurants, bars, hotels, motels, and in some cases entire cities unwilling to accomodate me, I'm going to eventually get a little restless.

I have always found that something involving gunpowder cures that.

[elkfersupper]

The only hope for smokers is for them to run a national campaign that calls for them to adopt a polite smoking policy and self police.

Actually, the only hope is civil disobedience.

I'm almost happy that anti-smokers actually appear to be willing to push it that far.

[elkfersupper]

The bedding, drapes and rugs in smoking rooms stink. Most smokers don't seem to understand that the smoke permeates everything, even their clothes.

Vegetarians say similar things about people who eat meat.

Get ready.

[lmr]

Their company, their dollar, their choice. I personally always get non-smoking rooms. The smoking rooms seem to have an "odor" to them that is rather unpleasant.

As a smoker, you would find this hard to believe, I don't like the lingering odor either. I would always get a non-smoking room and smoke outside. At home, I don't smoke inside either, I have young children and don't like the smell in my house. Now if I could figure out a way to keep the smell off my clothes, that would be awesome.

I need to quit smoking, I only smoke 10 to 15 cigarettes a day anyway, and I don't like the way it makes me feel anymore, I just haven't had the willpower to do it yet.

[elkfersupper]

Not only that but the ventilating systems often cause the transfer of smoke from smoke rooms to nonsmoker rooms.

Oh, my!

What's a mother to do?

[elkfersupper]

I had to get out the canned air to straighten out the keyboard over that one.

[mysterio]

I need to quit smoking as well. After I do, I will still joyfully boycott every one of these corporations that persecute smokers.

[ChildOfThe60s]

Obviously the execs at Marriott think that this will be better for business. Their call.

I wonder if they have any hotels in Vegas? I don't think it would fly too well there. Hmm, just checked and they do. Will be interesting to see how they make out in that market.

[elkfersupper]

If you want to change the behavior of the another person, you need to recognize how you affect the others behavior by your own actions and then change your behavior first.

For once, you and I agree.

I have found that even radical anti-smokers temper their comments and actions in situations where everyone is armed (hunting trips, for example).

[elkfersupper]

What I do object to, however, is the way the smokers congregate JUST OUTSIDE the building door

I'm with you.

I prefer to smoke at my work station instead of just outside the building door.

[elkfersupper]

For some with allergies (a few members of my family), a stay in a room with even a slight smoke smell can be extremely unpleasant.

An allergic reaction requires protein.

There is no protein in tobacco smoke.

What you are describing is hysteria.

[Windsong]

Er, you are aware that the military is run and funded by the government right? G.I. means, literally, "government issue". If you wish to learn what happens in a country without a government, look no further than Zimbabwe.

[elkfersupper]

I bought 43 acres in NM (23 miles to the nearest gas station), and hired some mexicans (legal) to build a little "hacienda". It's a thousand sq foot, with a good heat pump. But, the crown for me is the outside porch with the evaporative spray set-up. It keeps you 20 degrees cooler, and makes an excellent environment for smoking!

Hallelujah!

Tell me the porch has a rail for resting a muzzleloader.

[elkfersupper]

HOUSE RULES: Smoking can seriously damage the value of your house.

I don't know about you, Ray, but my house is for living.

Investment is another thing.

Life is short.

[elkfersupper]

But the nanosecond the first microbe of your smoke touches my airspace, you are out of bounds. It's that simple.

You don't own any airspace.

If you did, you could theoretically charge a toll for aircraft moving across / through it, and you can't.

[Melas]

Well, they better get over it, because smokers aren't going anywhere any time soon

Actually they are. There are less of you every year, and new smokers are being recruited at far under replacement levels. We're not too far from the day when there won't be enough of you to make it worthwhile.

[elkfersupper]

Smoke all you want, but keep your excrement off of me, mmmkay?

If tobacco smoke can be described as excrement, then words can too, my friend.

[elkfersupper]

Diesel smoke irritates me more than anything

This sums up the whole argument.

Only one thing in this world smells better to me than diesel smoke, and that is Hoppe's No.9.

Different strokes for different folks.

[elkfersupper]

80% of the adult population does not smoke though...so I don't understand the money argument...

Considerable energy and money is expended in corporate America trying to figure out how to attract and keep .0001% additional market share.

[elkfersupper]

We're not too far from the day when there won't be enough of you to make it worthwhile.

That's what some people said about Hezbollah.