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

[Boris+]

Hi Anne,

We really enjoyed having that door which stayed open - our friends are due to have that suite in a 2014 cruise; we'll see if it still works the same then!

Em

[The Monocled Mutineer]

As the numbers of smokers continues to dwindle and the number of cigarettes per smoker drops (as the activity continues to be squeezed out of public life), governments will continue to impose above inflation duty increases (+the extra vat from the higher duty paid value too) to offset potential diminishing returns. This has been the case for years. The £12bn or so raised in tobacco duty (and vat on cigarettes) will continue. In fact more can be raised by cracking down hard on tobacco smugglers and those purchasing cigarettes with non-fiscal marks or/and from premises who cannot prove their cigarettes are from legit UK suppliers, or found in possession of more than 200 non-fiscal marked cigarettes (ie the personal legal allowance for the importation of duty free cigarettes).

[Mo2013]

Stroll ? If you power walk, then a pathetic stroll does not quite cut the mustard and everyone knows a full circuit of the Promenade deck equals a certain distance. Why shouldn't people be able to do a whole circuit of the Promenade deck? Even the name - Promenade - speaks for itself. It's not called Smoking deck. The Promenade deck is meant for promenading.

[Mervyn and Trish]

Power walkers will be past the smokers so fast they'll not notice them. The problem I responded to was in relation to those with conditions aggravated by smoke - so possibly not power walkers.

And if we're in to semantics, I think 'promenading' is closer to strolling than power walking.

The main purposed of the Promenade Deck is actually neither smoking nor walking. It is a means to board the lifeboats in emergency.

In the meantime, as a non-smoker, I'm prepared to live and let live and share it. I'm grateful smoking is now banned in most of the ship. I can't begrudge them the little bit they have left.

[Silver_Shiney]

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

over time, from a reduction in the number of people seeking treatment from smoking-related illnesses?

[Romig1]

Stroll ? If you power walk, then a pathetic stroll does not quite cut the mustard and everyone knows a full circuit of the Promenade deck equals a certain distance. Why shouldn't people be able to do a whole circuit of the Promenade deck? Even the name - Promenade - speaks for itself. It's not called Smoking deck. The Promenade deck is meant for promenading.

What a vacuous line of argument!. The Prom Deck is also not called the "Leaning against the rail watching the world go by" Deck either. Should we therefore also ban people from doing this as it's not in accordance with the name of the deck???. And, incidently...for the vast majority of people it is perfectly possible to "prom" along the prom deck even if smokers are present. The smokers do not prevent people from "promenading" along the deck by necessity in most cases - people just prefer not to.

[Romig1]

Power walkers will be past the smokers so fast they'll not notice them. The problem I responded to was in relation to those with conditions aggravated by smoke - so possibly not power walkers.

And if we're in to semantics, I think 'promenading' is closer to strolling than power walking.

The main purposed of the Promenade Deck is actually neither smoking nor walking. It is a means to board the lifeboats in emergency.

In the meantime, as a non-smoker, I'm prepared to live and let live and share it. I'm grateful smoking is now banned in most of the ship. I can't begrudge them the little bit they have left.

Blimey Merv/Trish. I think I agree with every word....for once!

[Silver_Shiney]

Stroll ? If you power walk, then a pathetic stroll does not quite cut the mustard and everyone knows a full circuit of the Promenade deck equals a certain distance. Why shouldn't people be able to do a whole circuit of the Promenade deck? Even the name - Promenade - speaks for itself. It's not called Smoking deck. The Promenade deck is meant for promenading.

What a vacuous line of argument!. The Prom Deck is also not called the "Leaning against the rail watching the world go by" Deck either. Should we therefore also ban people from doing this as it's not in accordance with the name of the deck???. And, incidently...for the vast majority of people it is perfectly possible to "prom" along the prom deck even if smokers are present. The smokers do not prevent people from "promenading" along the deck by necessity in most cases - people just prefer not to.

While I wouldn't go as far as to calling a stroll around the Promenade deck "pathetic", I do agree with the thrust of Mo's statement. We like to do a couple of circuits at least, every day and frequently have to breathe in second-hand smoke. I realy do not think it is too much to ask for a smoke-free Promenade deck andfor smoking to be confined to the highest outdoor point at the back of the ship.

[Romig1]

Shiney, I do have sympathy with your view. As an ex-smoker myself, I find cigarette smoke quite unpleasant. I do think however, that the more areas are classed as non-smoking then the anti-smoking brigade look for the next place where the smokers are, to find that is "ruining" their enjoyment of that area also. It's all a bit "thin end of the wedge" as far as I'm concerned.

P&O have acceded to requests to ban smoking from balconies, I don't feel under the circumstances it would be fair to ban them from the Prom Deck too.

[Silver_Shiney]

Shiney, I do have sympathy with your view. As an ex-smoker myself, I find cigarette smoke quite unpleasant. I do think however, that the more areas are classed as non-smoking then the anti-smoking brigade look for the next place where the smokers are, to find that is "ruining" their enjoyment of that area also. It's all a bit "thin end of the wedge" as far as I'm concerned.

P&O have acceded to requests to ban smoking from balconies, I don't feel under the circumstances it would be fair to ban them from the Prom Deck too.

I hear what you say, Romig.

I, too, am an ex-smoker. Although it is very many years (30+) since I stopped, my health still suffers as a result and even a whiff of burning tobacco induces a sudden build-up of catarrh in my throat.

Most of my cruising has been on Oceana. I know to avoid the smoking side of the Lido deck, that doesn't stop me from enjoying the other side. There's a small, raised, deck with a splash pool right at the top (deck 14?). I've hardly ever seen anyone up there. Could that not be used for the smoking area? I'm sure similar areas could be found on other ships.

[Quizzical Bob]

Stroll ? If you power walk, then a pathetic stroll does not quite cut the mustard and everyone knows a full circuit of the Promenade deck equals a certain distance. Why shouldn't people be able to do a whole circuit of the Promenade deck? Even the name - Promenade - speaks for itself. It's not called Smoking deck. The Promenade deck is meant for promenading.

What a vacuous line of argument!. The Prom Deck is also not called the "Leaning against the rail watching the world go by" Deck either. Should we therefore also ban people from doing this as it's not in accordance with the name of the deck???. And, incidently...for the vast majority of people it is perfectly possible to "prom" along the prom deck even if smokers are present. The smokers do not prevent people from "promenading" along the deck by necessity in most cases - people just prefer not to.

While I wouldn't go as far as to calling a stroll around the Promenade deck "pathetic", I do agree with the thrust of Mo's statement. We like to do a couple of circuits at least, every day and frequently have to breathe in second-hand smoke. I realy do not think it is too much to ask for a smoke-free Promenade deck andfor smoking to be confined to the highest outdoor point at the back of the ship.

We are in this position. We never use the loungers around the pools, I would be quite happy to stick all the smokers up there.

[Ray Scully]

Methinks that there are some people in this world who will not be happy until all smokers are exterminated. Sadly it appears a few reside on this site.
I take heart from my experience of such folk, it is not just smokers, they are anti anything that does not conform to their self interest, and narrow views.
You can never accuse such folk of subscribing to a 'my glass is half full attitude on life' its got to be overflowing before they MAY be happy.

Ray

An ex smoker saving over £2000 a year in ciggie tax

I fully expect this post to be pulled

[Quizzical Bob]

Not exterminated, Ray, just converted to the bright side! I really cannot understand why anybody would want to start smoking, but it is entirely their choice. For the record, I have never tried any form of tobacco but have suffered from everybody else's.

[Kendhni]

I fully expect this post to be pulled

Why?

[The Monocled Mutineer]

Correction: Would wish smoking to be exterminated, not smokers. There are millions of ex.smokers. ANYONE can give up. There are plenty of methods and aids to get one through the first difficult days.

[Silver_Shiney]

Methinks that there are some people in this world who will not be happy until all smokers are exterminated. Sadly it appears a few reside on this site.
I take heart from my experience of such folk, it is not just smokers, they are anti anything that does not conform to their self interest, and narrow views.
You can never accuse such folk of subscribing to a 'my glass is half full attitude on life' its got to be overflowing before they MAY be happy.

Ray

An ex smoker saving over £2000 a year in ciggie tax

I fully expect this post to be pulled

Oh, come now, Ray, that's a bit harsh. I shouldn't think even the Mankini Mutineer would want smokers exterminated, but it is not too much to ask that non-smokers not be obliged to inhale the stench of burning tobacco as they go about their daily business, whether that's walking into business premises, standing at a bus stop or sitting in an expensive (well, I can't afford one) balcony on holiday. I'm quite happy to live and let live, and disagree with others over things I hold dear.

You stated your position clearly and politely - why on earth should it be "pulled"?

As for a "glass half full" (or even a "glass half empty") attitude, either way there's room for more wine

[Ray Scully]

Not exterminated, Ray, just converted to the bright side! I really cannot understand why anybody would want to start smoking, but it is entirely their choice. For the record, I have never tried any form of tobacco but have suffered from everybody else's.

QB

I think there are far greater excesses in human behaviour than restricted smoking, that we all have to suffer..

Ray

[Mo2013]

Methinks that there are some people in this world who will not be happy until all smokers are exterminated. Sadly it appears a few reside on this site.
I take heart from my experience of such folk, it is not just smokers, they are anti anything that does not conform to their self interest, and narrow views.
You can never accuse such folk of subscribing to a 'my glass is half full attitude on life' its got to be overflowing before they MAY be happy.

Ray

An ex smoker saving over £2000 a year in ciggie tax

I fully expect this post to be pulled

Ray, unless you know all of us personally, you cannot possibly pass judgement on members in the way you have. You have no idea how people live their lives at all, what their attitude to life is. And you also have absolutely no idea of what some people might be going through in their lives which may colour their attitude. I would not have been surprised if your post had been pulled - it is far too personal. Personally I have to wonder about people who are only 'good news' folk, and thus unable to face anything which might make them feel slightly depressed.

[Mo2013]

Shiney, I do have sympathy with your view. As an ex-smoker myself, I find cigarette smoke quite unpleasant. I do think however, that the more areas are classed as non-smoking then the anti-smoking brigade look for the next place where the smokers are, to find that is "ruining" their enjoyment of that area also. It's all a bit "thin end of the wedge" as far as I'm concerned.

P&O have acceded to requests to ban smoking from balconies, I don't feel under the circumstances it would be fair to ban them from the Prom Deck too.

I hear what you say, Romig.

I, too, am an ex-smoker. Although it is very many years (30+) since I stopped, my health still suffers as a result and even a whiff of burning tobacco induces a sudden build-up of catarrh in my throat.

Most of my cruising has been on Oceana. I know to avoid the smoking side of the Lido deck, that doesn't stop me from enjoying the other side. There's a small, raised, deck with a splash pool right at the top (deck 14?). I've hardly ever seen anyone up there. Could that not be used for the smoking area? I'm sure similar areas could be found on other ships.

I agree Alan. There surely must be somewhere out of the way where smokers can enjoy their habit where it does not impinge on other people's 'space'. I wonder if smokers want to smoke but still want to be with everyone else? Unfortunately, some knee jerk people fail to understand that non-smokers are not getting at smokers for the sake of it - there are real health issues for some, and others just do not want to have to walk/run/hold their breath whilst running a gauntlet of smokers. As I said before, the rights of non-smokers should outweigh the rights of smokers, who continue to indulge in an anti-social life-threatening habit.

[Mervyn and Trish]

Stroll ? If you power walk, then a pathetic stroll does not quite cut the mustard and everyone knows a full circuit of the Promenade deck equals a certain distance. Why shouldn't people be able to do a whole circuit of the Promenade deck? Even the name - Promenade - speaks for itself. It's not called Smoking deck. The Promenade deck is meant for promenading.

What a vacuous line of argument!. The Prom Deck is also not called the "Leaning against the rail watching the world go by" Deck either. Should we therefore also ban people from doing this as it's not in accordance with the name of the deck???. And, incidently...for the vast majority of people it is perfectly possible to "prom" along the prom deck even if smokers are present. The smokers do not prevent people from "promenading" along the deck by necessity in most cases - people just prefer not to.

While I wouldn't go as far as to calling a stroll around the Promenade deck "pathetic", I do agree with the thrust of Mo's statement. We like to do a couple of circuits at least, every day and frequently have to breathe in second-hand smoke. I realy do not think it is too much to ask for a smoke-free Promenade deck andfor smoking to be confined to the highest outdoor point at the back of the ship.

And what about people who, like us, enjoy standing at the highest point looking aft? There's no right place.

[Ray Scully]

Methinks that there are some people in this world who will not be happy until all smokers are exterminated. Sadly it appears a few reside on this site.
I take heart from my experience of such folk, it is not just smokers, they are anti anything that does not conform to their self interest, and narrow views.
You can never accuse such folk of subscribing to a 'my glass is half full attitude on life' its got to be overflowing before they MAY be happy.

Ray

An ex smoker saving over £2000 a year in ciggie tax

I fully expect this post to be pulled

Ray, unless you know all of us personally, you cannot possibly pass judgement on members in the way you have. You have no idea how people live their lives at all, what their attitude to life is. And you also have absolutely no idea of what some people might be going through in their lives which may colour their attitude. I would not have been surprised if your post had been pulled - it is far too personal. Personally I have to wonder about people who are only 'good news' folk, and thus unable to face anything which might make them feel slightly depressed.

Oh dear

[sunseeker16]

Just had an e-mail from P&O which explains their new policy. It sounds very fair, to everyone, to me. Here's the releavnt bit

Following feedback from our passengers and the results of recent customer research, smoking will no longer be permitted on cabin balconies. Smoking is currently not permitted in cabins or public areas but the policy will continue to permit smoking in designated areas of the open deck.

With regards to electronic cigarettes which do not emit smoke, these are not permitted in public areas but they can be used in cabins, balconies and designated areas of the open deck.



So - bet they sell e-cigs on board soon

[karenandbob]

We were on board Ventura last December for a month over Christmas and the new year, we booked a balcony cabin, unfortunately for us we had smokers on both sides of us for the whole month. We hardly used our balcony, every time we sat on the balcony the neighbours would be out there puffing away.

We are both ex-smokers so perhaps we are a little bit more tolerant but I am still pleased to hear the news about no smoking on balconies from April 2014. On our first cruise we had an inside cabin and at that time I was still smoking - I didn't find it to much of a hardship to slip on a t-shirt and a pair of shorts and go up to the promenade deck first thing in the morning for a ciggie.

[ItsmeAnnC]

Just had an e-mail from P&O which explains their new policy. It sounds very fair, to everyone, to me. Here's the releavnt bit

Following feedback from our passengers and the results of recent customer research, smoking will no longer be permitted on cabin balconies. Smoking is currently not permitted in cabins or public areas but the policy will continue to permit smoking in designated areas of the open deck.

With regards to electronic cigarettes which do not emit smoke, these are not permitted in public areas but they can be used in cabins, balconies and designated areas of the open deck.



So - bet they sell e-cigs on board soon

What do they mean by "designated areas"? So - you can "smoke" e-cigarettes in cabins and on balconies where you are not permitted to smoke normal cigarettes, but you have to smoke the e-cigs in the designated smoking areas? What about those who are using these to try and give up???

[Ray Scully]

Just had an e-mail from P&O which explains their new policy. It sounds very fair, to everyone, to me. Here's the releavnt bit

Following feedback from our passengers and the results of recent customer research, smoking will no longer be permitted on cabin balconies. Smoking is currently not permitted in cabins or public areas but the policy will continue to permit smoking in designated areas of the open deck.

With regards to electronic cigarettes which do not emit smoke, these are not permitted in public areas but they can be used in cabins, balconies and designated areas of the open deck.



So - bet they sell e-cigs on board soon

No e-ciggs??? what's the problem with these innocuous devices. I am far more upset by the body odours it has been my misfortune to come across in P&O bars and entertainment venues.

ray