I am not a smoker, never have been, never will be. With that said, let me also say that I just don’t get it. If a sign says “NO SMOKING” doesn’t that mean smoking is not allowed in that particular area? This seems pretty straight forward to me. However, I don’t think it has any real effect on the smokers who have no respect for anyone else. Case in point, we happen to be staying at an extended stay hotel with better than average amenities for the next few months. As per our norm, we requested and received a non-smoking room.
Great! Right … ? Sure if the guy next door actually obeyed the “No Smoking” sign blatantly posted on his door. At first I thought it was bad enough that he would step outside his door, leaving the door open mind you, and puff away with smoke billowing on the breeze … directly into my open window. But apparently shutting the window while he was out there after the second or third butt break caused him pause and now he is just smoking is his room. This is not better folks! The smell comes through the walls and I can honestly tell you that getting into a steamy shower with the smell of second hand smoke in the air is disgusting.
I know I sound like a whiner but seriously, if I didn’t mind the nasty smell, carcinogens, chemicals, and irritants in cigarettes I would not go out of my way to ensure a smoke free environment for myself. Now perhaps because I have never smoked I may be more sensitive to the stench in the air and the burning in my throat and eyes. But why should it matter? No smoking should mean … no smoking.
I understand that there are common areas where, like it or not, one is going to have to deal with second hand smoke. The pool areas, sidewalks, casinos, and even most restaurants here in Las Vegas are a smoker’s paradise. I get that. If I don’t like it I can leave or take an alternate path; no harm no foul. It seems so simple to me. Follow the rules. If you want to smoke in your room get a smoking room!
