No Smoking on balconies on P & O from April 2014.

[ItsmeAnnC]

Whatever the rules are they should be complied with, whether you agree with them or not. That's life. Once the restriction in is place that will be it. My husband will not be smoking on the balcony. But the facility to do so used to count in our evaluation of which cruise line to holiday with when considering a selection of cruises.
I have to say he does wish he had never started, and he does feel ostracised to a certain extent, and some of that feeling is self-imposed. He has not found it easy in his (several) attempts to give up. So much so that on one occasion the agitation and lack of concentration from not smoking actually caused a car accident, even after four months. So, if he wants to smoke, I will support him, as long as he continues to be a considerate smoker (outside and not near other people unless smokers themselves), and I don't mind what other people think about that.

[Kendhni]

Ken:

Notwithstanding your logic around smokers switching from lit fires at their hands and mouth, otherwise known as cigarettes, cigars and pipes, to e-cigs, is not nicotene, presumably absorbed via the medium of e-cigs (as well as nicotene gum and patches) in itself absorbing a carcinogen for which it is adviseable to either eliminate or reduce in quantity? It is my understanding that the aforementioned smoking substitutes are 'healthier' than cigarettes and have no physiological impact on non-smokers near them (well certainly not gum and patches).

There is a lot of double speak going on when nicotine is mentioned ... some say it is the devils brew others say that on its own it is no more dangerous than evaporatng alcohol from a pint glass ... both having carcinogenic possibilities. I am not up to speed with eCigs but I believe the main issue is actually tar from tobacco which is considered to be the main carcinogen and virtually non-existent in ecigs ... personally I would like to see ecigs being properly evaluated and regulated and made more socially acceptable (for those with nicotine dependency) ... there is no doubt in my mind that moving people off actual tobacco to ecigs would be a major step forward, but what incentive is there if they are still going to be forced into huddles outside?

[sunseeker16]

Ann, we had a very pleasant cruise on MSC a couple of months ago and have booked another MSC cruise for early next year.
They allow smoking in one of the bars and in the casino (possibly balconies - I don't know) as well as the usual restricted parts of the open deck.
They are sailing out of Southampton again next summer, in addition to numerous cruises from the Med - perhaps you should have a look? Or perhaps your OH could look at the e-cigs? (They may be useless for him - I haven't looked into them in any detail)

[Kendhni]

The next really big topic will be the withdrawal of the facility to bring aboard alcohol. No doubt some of those applauding P&O's smoking policy, will then be castigating them.

Ray

... and there is absolutely no doubt in my mind that that is coming ... no more bottles of your favourite pre-dinner tipple or cases of wine from your own personal cellars .. you either buy it onboard or do without.

[Kendhni]

i think i read elswhere that cunard are banning e-cigs on balconies too?

If that is true then it is stupidity.

[sunseeker16]

It's not true about Cunard, e-cigs and balconies

What is it about human beings which makes us prefer the daft and unlikely version of a story over the logical, sensible one? We are very flawed!

Here's Cunard's spiel

The safety, comfort and enjoyment of all our guests is a key concern. As such, smoking is not permitted in staterooms, any public area with the exception of Churchill’s Cigar Lounge, designated areas on the open decks and the upper level of the G32 nightclub on board Queen Mary 2. Whilst smoking is allowed on stateroom balconies**, we would ask that guests are considerate and keep smoking in this area to a minimum. Electronic cigarettes which do not emit smoke are not permitted in public areas with the exception of Churchill’s Cigar Lounge, designated areas on the open decks and the upper level of the G32 nightclub on board Queen Mary 2, but can be used in staterooms and on stateroom balconies.
**(Smoking will no longer be permitted on stateroom balconies with effect from 28 April 2014 on Queen Victoria, 16 May 2014 on Queen Mary 2, and 8 June 2014 on Queen Elizabeth.)

[Kendhni]

Thanks for the update sunseeker ... reveals a more common sense approach ... although I would still like to see more incentive for people to switch to eCigs.

[ItsmeAnnC]

Sunseeker99 - thank you. He would prefer to smoke outside alone than indoors in, for instance, a bar, because the extractors are often not very good. And it would be the same for us , i.e. being separated because I would not like to sit in a room where smoking was allowed. He was quite keen on the e-cigs idea, having spoken to someone on a Celebrity cruise who was finding his very good. Research when we got home, however, put him off. They are definitely not as safe as one would think, and certainly not safe enough, until regulated, to warrant changing from the real thing.
The last time we sailed on Celebrity e-cigarettes were only permitted in the same places as the real things. Not in cabins or on balconies, for instance. What's the point?

[davecttr]

It's not true about Cunard, e-cigs and balconies

What is it about human beings which makes us prefer the daft and unlikely version of a story over the logical, sensible one? We are very flawed!

Here's Cunard's spiel

The safety, comfort and enjoyment of all our guests is a key concern. As such, smoking is not permitted in staterooms, any public area with the exception of Churchill’s Cigar Lounge, designated areas on the open decks and the upper level of the G32 nightclub on board Queen Mary 2. Whilst smoking is allowed on stateroom balconies**, we would ask that guests are considerate and keep smoking in this area to a minimum. Electronic cigarettes which do not emit smoke are not permitted in public areas with the exception of Churchill’s Cigar Lounge, designated areas on the open decks and the upper level of the G32 nightclub on board Queen Mary 2, but can be used in staterooms and on stateroom balconies.
**(Smoking will no longer be permitted on stateroom balconies with effect from 28 April 2014 on Queen Victoria, 16 May 2014 on Queen Mary 2, and 8 June 2014 on Queen Elizabeth.)

Err, excuse me

I wrote what i thought i had read elsewhere. nowhere did i say they i preferred this.

I don't smoke myself and was quite happy with the policy that P&O had before the balcony ban.

Bye for now from a very irritated davecttr

[Button1963]

So if everyone stopped smoking the government would lose 12.1 billion in taxes where would they make the shortfall up from

The Government would save an equal mount if they didn't have to treat the illnesses caused by smoking.

The government would save even more if they didn't have to treat the illnesses caused by obesity which according to latest stats is a much bigger problem than smoking , if we were to stop treating all lifestyle related conditions such as those caused by bad diet, sunbathing , too much alcohol etc etc then there would be plenty beds in hospital wards at least the smokers and drinkers pay a massive amount into the pot ( and I don't smoke or drink, nor am I overweight ) but I do have a lot of of tolerance for others and have never had a cruise 'ruined' by smokers, drinkers , sunworshipers or overweight people.

[Ray Scully]

So if everyone stopped smoking the government would lose 12.1 billion in taxes where would they make the shortfall up from

The Government would save an equal mount if they didn't have to treat the illnesses caused by smoking.

The government would save even more if they didn't have to treat the illnesses caused by obesity which according to latest stats is a much bigger problem than smoking , if we were to stop treating all lifestyle related conditions such as those caused by bad diet, sunbathing , too much alcohol etc etc then there would be plenty beds in hospital wards at least the smokers and drinkers pay a massive amount into the pot ( and I don't smoke or drink, nor am I overweight ) but I do have a lot of of tolerance for others and have never had a cruise 'ruined' by smokers, drinkers , sunworshipers or overweight people.

The nett amount of cigarette tax income for the government taking into account medical costs associated with smoking is in excess of 5 billion pounds. Given that generally smokers die younger there will also be associated welfare savings. I think the amount in tax and welfare savings relates to around 2p on income tax.

Ray

[Button1963]

So if everyone stopped smoking the government would lose 12.1 billion in taxes where would they make the shortfall up from

The Government would save an equal mount if they didn't have to treat the illnesses caused by smoking.

The government would save even more if they didn't have to treat the illnesses caused by obesity which according to latest stats is a much bigger problem than smoking , if we were to stop treating all lifestyle related conditions such as those caused by bad diet, sunbathing , too much alcohol etc etc then there would be plenty beds in hospital wards at least the smokers and drinkers pay a massive amount into the pot ( and I don't smoke or drink, nor am I overweight ) but I do have a lot of of tolerance for others and have never had a cruise 'ruined' by smokers, drinkers , sunworshipers or overweight people.

The nett amount of cigarette tax income for the government taking into account medical costs associated with smoking is in excess of 5 billion pounds. Given that generally smokers die younger there will also be associated welfare savings. I think the amount in tax and welfare savings relates to around 2p on income tax.

Ray

Revenue to government from smokers 2011 to 2012 12.3 billion estimated cost of treating smoking related illness around 5 billion = net gain to chancellor of over 7 billion this does not take account of the fact that a high percentage of smokers live a shorter life and therefore do not live long enough to require the very expensive care often required by the very elderly

[Kendhni]

And now the campaign begins to ban smoking outdoors?

At that point they should have the guts to simply ban it totally and if they do I hope they offset the lost revenue by adding another 10-20% tax onto alcohol, utility bills and/or petrol ... and not 2-3% onto income tax.

[AngieT]

So if everyone stopped smoking the government would lose 12.1 billion in taxes where would they make the shortfall up from

The Government would save an equal mount if they didn't have to treat the illnesses caused by smoking.

The government would save even more if they didn't have to treat the illnesses caused by obesity which according to latest stats is a much bigger problem than smoking , if we were to stop treating all lifestyle related conditions such as those caused by bad diet, sunbathing , too much alcohol etc etc then there would be plenty beds in hospital wards at least the smokers and drinkers pay a massive amount into the pot ( and I don't smoke or drink, nor am I overweight ) but I do have a lot of of tolerance for others and have never had a cruise 'ruined' by smokers, drinkers , sunworshipers or overweight people.

Nice idea but it would be very difficult to decide which patients suffer from illnesses because of their lifestyle or due to other reasons. How do you prove someone has skin cancer due to sunbathing? I know of many people who suffer from malignant melanoma (including myself) who have never been sunbathers and that's why a genetic study is being carried out. Some people suffer pancreatic & liver cancer but it's not because of heavy drinking. It would be an admin nightmare to weed out the self abusers.

[The Monocled Mutineer]

Ken:

I am opposed to outright bans as total prohibition does not work. Witness the "war against drugs" and alcohol prohibition earlier in the last century in the US.

I am in favour of controls on where you can smoke (which therefore include the protection of those who do not smoke from passive smoking) and the protection of U18s, and on programmes, goods and services to get people to kick the habit or not to start it in the first place

As in the past, as the majority of the population has switched from being smokers to non-smokers, potential diminshing returns arising from tobacco duty and the vat thereof is counteracted by raising tobacco duty to a level that sustains the revenue stream enjoyed.

[david63]

And now the campaign begins to ban smoking outdoors?

If you cannot smoke outdoors and you cannot smoke indoors the obvious question is "Where can you smoke?"

I can see the logic in banning smoking in the likes of National Parks and anywhere else where there is an obvious fire risk but I can envisage this getting totally out of hand, and probably unmanageable

[The Monocled Mutineer]

I find it highly unpleasant in public areas to follow smokers in the street in their wake. I find it takes me about 30 mins to restore back to ease of breathing and the smell is not welcome either. They also are happy to litter the pavements and subways too. I take a regular pedestrian route two or three times a week in the town I work in and some smokers ignore the no smoking signs in semi covered walkways and subways (as well as the law unto themselves cyclist louts (usually no bells) who ignore no cycling signs or cyclist dismount signs on these pedestrian ways).

[barney]

I probably find myself in a minority of one, but really couldn't care either way.

I don't smoke but neither does it bother me too much.

I support not smoking in enclosed areas but surely a guy can enjoy his fag in the open air?

I'm pretty much a live and let live kind of guy.
I do realise that smoking brings in an enormous amount into the treasury and most smokers are also consdiderate enough to die younger.

In my opinion, the questions that really needs answering is the medical professions obsession with prolonging life while it's quite clear that as a country, we can't afford for folk to live too long.
Maybe the doctors should start prescribing fags

[Quizzical Bob]

I support not smoking in enclosed areas but surely a guy can enjoy his fag in the open air?

A balcony or promenade deck is not 'open air'.

[Ray Scully]

I support not smoking in enclosed areas but surely a guy can enjoy his fag in the open air?

A balcony or promenade deck is not 'open air'.

It is when its raining

[Ray Scully]

I find it highly unpleasant in public areas to follow smokers in the street in their wake. I find it takes me about 30 mins to restore back to ease of breathing and the smell is not welcome either. They also are happy to litter the pavements and subways too. I take a regular pedestrian route two or three times a week in the town I work in and some smokers ignore the no smoking signs in semi covered walkways and subways (as well as the law unto themselves cyclist louts (usually no bells) who ignore no cycling signs or cyclist dismount signs on these pedestrian ways).

Derek dear boy

Please tell me; do you include 'Charlie Brown' the Coasters version, amongst your Karaoke repertoire? It is just that the lyrics seem so apt.

Ray

[ItsmeAnnC]

A balcony or promenade deck is not 'open air'.

My dictionary definition of open air - "a place or space where the air is unenclosed".

So, yes it is.

[tractor boy]

P&O have said that we can downgrade to a window cabin or move to a cabin near the smoking areas, Thanks for nothing P&O. Why is it that they listen to those who complain about smoking but never about anything else. The prices keep going up but the enjoyment factor keeps going down.

[Quizzical Bob]

A balcony or promenade deck is not 'open air'.

My dictionary definition of open air - "a place or space where the air is unenclosed".

So, yes it is.

Some balconies are just a room with an open window.

[Mo2013]

I went to the hairdresser yesterday - another stylist using the next chair must have gone outside for a cigarette because I suddenly became aware of the smell when she returned. (I wear glasses and had removed them so didn't see her go out). I do wish smokers would realise that it is about the health issues, not because non-smokers want to spoil their fun. By all means smoke in designated areas, but please, stick to the rules.