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.

[traditional1]

"the deer and the antelope don't give a damn!"

I'll bet the PETA people would come to their defense, though, and protect their "rights"!

Those cooling-spray evaporitive systems are a great idea for that purpose. Congrats!

[Xenalyte]

I am not welcome anymore at Marriotts because I like to smoke a cigar when I am finished with work for the day.

That doesn't mean you cannot stay at Marriott. That only means you cannot smoke at Marriott.

[ErnBatavia]

Why not move, say, 15 feet to the side? They'd still be under shade, and I wouldn't have to be smoked up to get to work or lunch.

Building management/maintenance could solve that by moving the big ashtray a few feet further from the door - but they generally have 'em right at the entrances.

[pageonetoo]

I bet no one will be denied a check-in for smelling like smoke.

All guests are welcome at any Marriott, smokers and non-smokers alike. They just can't smoke while they're at the hotel.

Can you really not see the distinction?

I would rather see homosexuals a right to use the rooms for deviant behavior, speading bodily fluids everywhere you can' "smell" them! Aid's and STD's anyone?

[Xenalyte]

Oh, believe you me, there was nothing new in your rant. It might have been new to you, but we non-smokers have heard it all before.

I don't "think I should have a say-so" in anyone's life but mine. I have never said, "Hey, let's pass a law that won't let people smoke outside my building door!"

All I said was that I don't like it. I didn't advocate the government doing anything about it.

I do think that Skooz is right, and we should be considerate. You sound like you are considerate in regard to your smoke.

I just can't figure out why you don't approve of me wishing other people would be more considerate.

[pageonetoo]

I would rather see homosexuals DENIED a right to use the rooms...

[Xenalyte]

That's a very good point. I'll look at ashtray placement when I go out to lunch.

[bluefish]

Rather defensive aren't we?

In high school, I chewed tobacco. When the smokers would light up at a urinal in the rest room next to me and blow smoke in my face, I'd retaliate by spitting a big wad of tobacco juice on their shirt. They learned real quick.

You are actually expressing anger over the fact that others do not sit and take it when you pollute their air and stink up their clothes.

Your selfishness, lack of social grace and desire to be a jerk towards others is amazing.

This has nothing to do with being PC.

Your attitude suggests that bullies should have the right to walk down the street and punch people in the face without any complaints from the recipient.

As long as the government doesn't get involved, every non-smoker has the right to tell you they don't like your pollution.

And yes, you have the right to complain about perfume too. It's the way the world works.

[SheLion]

What I do object to, however, is the way the smokers congregate JUST OUTSIDE the building door, so if you want in or out, you MUST go through that smoke. Why not move, say, 15 feet to the side? They'd still be under shade, and I wouldn't have to be smoked up to get to work or lunch.

You know what? If the highly paid professional anti-smokers hadn't kicked smokers outside to smoke, we never would have had this problem!

Smokers had their smoking lounges, out of the view of the public, and no one had to walk through "cigarette smoke" to gain access to a building.

So, what do you propose for smokers now?  Where else are they to go?  huh?  It's not smoker's fault that they were kicked outside for all the world to see.  This was not our idea!

[Xenalyte]

Do smokers complain about women's dousing themselves in $1/quart perfume, and standing in a crowded elevator polluting a smoker's airspace?

I don't know why they wouldn't complain.

[pageonetoo]

I have never said, "Hey, let's pass a law that won't let people smoke outside my building door!"

All I said was that I don't like it. I didn't advocate the government doing anything about it.

But, you want "someone" to move them 15 feet away. Why haven't you champiomed their RIGHTS to have an INDOOR designated area?

It is about PERSONAL RIGHTS, and that was the purpose of my post in the first place. YOU GET ONE LIFE. I GET ONE LIFE. WE ALL GET ONE LIFE! We all get personal rights, in the Constitution, and by God! Pardon me, but I guess I have to shout my points for them to be understood!

[Xenalyte]

I think we should go back to the smoking lounges. It was an ideal solution, as long as the building was properly ventilated and the smoke was contained.

It's not smoker's fault that they were kicked outside for all the world to see. This was not our idea!

I would note, at the risk of being incorrectly labeled an anti-smoker, that smoking is a choice, not a necessity. An employer is under no obligation to accommodate it.

[Xenalyte]

No, I do NOT want "someone" to move them.

I want them to move themselves because it's polite to do so, and because they realize that their habit is one many people find noxious.

Can you understand the distinction, or do I have to use shorter words?

[Hazcat]

Well, if they take a financial hit maybe the stockholders will demand they modify the ban. In any case I always ask about smoking rooms when I book. I am used to no smoking in the lounge and bar areas and in general don't have a problem with this. Here in FL there is usually an outside bar for smoking so no big deal.

As long as it is the business making the decision and not mandated by the nanny state I'm OK with it.

[Raycpa]

The price is affected in England

Why smoking affects your house price
Advertisement
By Simon P Ward
February 07 2004
If you’re looking to sell your home, be aware of 10 things that will put a lot of potential purchasers off your property
Selling your home can be a difficult business, what with the stress of people tramping through your property on a regular basis, dealing with solicitors, not to mention looking for somewhere else to live.
However you could discover that finding a buyer is a harder task than you anticipated. The Woolwich has identified 10 things that put potential buyers off paying the asking price for a home. The bank estimates that these cost homeowners an incredible £3 billion a year. Read on and take note:
Smoking
The Woolwich survey found that 28% were put off homes by nicotine-stained walls, ceilings and doors and the smell of stale smoke. They estimate that the effects of smoke could shave £16,000 off the asking price unless some DIY is done to rectify the damage.

http://money.uk.msn.com/Planning/Life_Events/Home_Buying_and_Selling/Home_buy_and_sell_Tips/article.aspx?cp-documentid=144236

[Raycpa]

HOUSE RULES: Smoking can seriously damage the value of your house. According to a survey of 1000 potential homebuyers carried out by the Woolwich, almost 30 per cent listed the smell of smoke and nicotined-stained walls as most likely to put them off. Seventy per cent of those said they would offer thousands less to the seller. Other turn-offs include animal odours and fur (20%), stone cladding (11%) and dirty fridge or oven (10%).

Source: Daily Mail (4 February 2004)

[mysterio]

Awesome. I'll never stay there again, even after I quit smoking.

No more of my money goes to any of these lifestyle police. If you smoke, consider doing the same. They have publically stated that they consider you a second class citizen and don't want your money. Let's see them do without 23% of the population.

[SheLion]

People who smoke cigarettes are generally not the brightest of the lot. I did it for 10 years and quit when I figured out I was being an idiot. Not only is it bad for you, it doesn't make sense.

EXCUSE ME???  You know, I'm a little sick and tired of fellow FReepers telling us that we are "LOW CLASS" and not the "brightest of the lot!"

How dare you!  Where the hell do you get off talking about us like this?  You are illiterate!  Especially for a FREEPER!

[Xenalyte]

The guy who owned our house before us was a smoker. He had been dead for several months when we bought the place, and his sister had totally redecorated (including new paint across the entire house), and you could smell smoke the second you walked in. We didn't even have to ask the realtor if the guy had been a smoker.

When I'm digging clear in the back of my closet, I can still smell smoke, and we've been living there four years.

[ladyjane]

There is a difference between changing diapers and smoking. The odor from diaper usually disipates after 10 minutes.

I have a friend who visits sometimes. She won't smoke in the house but her clothes cause the guest room to smell of smoke after only a couple of days. It's hard to believe but the room has to be aired out for a long time after.