But hotel managers also talk about other advantages: lower operating costs and marketing tactics at a time when the economic downturn is hurting business. “In all our publications we promote the smoking ban and as a result we receive orders. Today it is not a problem to develop anti-tobacco posters or leaflets and order printing in New York - the print run will be delivered instantly,” said Chris Kanavos, manager of a hotel in Williamsburg, which introduced the smoking ban after renovation three years ago.
In New York, where smoking is banned in restaurants and bars, the Comfort Inn Midtown hotel, located in the theater district, introduced a smoking ban two years ago. In the first seven months of this year, the hotel was 96% occupied. Vijay Dandapani, managing director of the Apple Core Hotels chain, which includes Comfort Inn Midtown, said housekeepers have to spend an extra five minutes cleaning a smoking room. In addition, managers note that in smoking rooms, curtains, carpets and bedspreads have to be changed more often, as smokers burn holes in them and cause other damage. The smoking ban also gives hotels room for other “maneuvers.” Usually, when the hotel is full, non-smokers are offered smoking rooms. But many dislike this because of the tobacco smell.
In recent years, smoking bans have been introduced in many bars, restaurants and workplaces in the United States. Now hotels are following their example. According to a PricewaterhouseCoopers study, smoking rooms today account for 16% of all hotel rooms, meaning their number has decreased by 4% over five years. In addition to New Jersey, New York and Virginia, non-smoking hotels can be found in Delaware, California and Oklahoma. For example, a month ago, the North Maple Inn hotel, located half an hour’s drive from New York, closed its last smoking room. Now the hotel charges those who smoke in their room a fine of $250. According to managers, this is exactly the amount needed to get rid of the smell of smoke. North Maple has set aside five outdoor areas for smokers, including an inner courtyard where they can order drinks.
Europe is not lagging behind America - the European Commission is drafting a bill to ban smoking in all restaurants and cafes. This was announced, as reported by RIA Novosti, by EU Commissioner for Health and Consumer Protection David Byrne. He noted that his department is working on a corresponding legislative initiative, and he is confident that such a bill will be prepared. “It is only a matter of time,” Byrne said.
According to the EU commissioner, it is an indisputable fact that passive smoking negatively affects people’s health. For example, in Ireland, the motive for banning smoking in restaurants and pubs was not only concern for the health of visitors and customers, but to a large extent for those who work in that atmosphere.
Answering a question about whether the European Commission is ready to deprive megacities of their traditional cafe culture, where people come to drink a cup of coffee, a glass of wine or a mug of beer and smoke at the same time, Byrne replied that this topic needs discussion. “Different countries have different traditions and cultures, but when it comes to such a basic thing as health, you need to see to what extent you can change public opinion,” he added.
Recently, the European Commission pushed a law banning tobacco advertising through the European Parliament. Only Germany tried to challenge the law in the European Court of Justice, while the other 14 current EU members agreed to comply with it. If a law banning smoking in restaurants and cafes is adopted, the countries of Central and Eastern Europe joining the union will also have to align their legislation with it.
Earlier, the European Commission decided to publish photographs or pictures on cigarette packs that should sow doubt among smokers and deter non-smokers. From October 2005, the governments of 25 countries will be able to set their own rules providing for the printing on the front of cigarette packs of images that should, in essence, correspond to the 14 warning labels developed by the Commission. Some of them can already be seen on cigarette packs in stores. To give an idea of what we are talking about, it is enough to give an example of one of them: “Smoking can lead to a slow and painful death” - and this is accompanied by a corresponding color picture.
In addition, other rules provided for by the 2001 pan-European directive will soon come into force. In particular, starting September 30, the inscriptions on cigarette packs must be made in black letters on a white background and occupy at least 30% of the front side of the pack and 40% on the back. The Commission recommends that the packaging also include phone numbers and internet addresses of centers that help those who want to quit smoking.