DennyP Travel Message Boards Forums Archives - Read Only Hedonism II Archives Dining Room -- New Smoking Policy

As of May 1, the dining room is now all non-smoking. They made the announcement at lunch. By dinner, all the ashtrays were gone from the tables and signs are out on a lot of the tables.

I didn't see anyone who seemed bent out of shape, although I did see some who used their plates as ashtrays. I'm not sure the message got out to everyone if they didn't go up for lunch.

Maybe there will be non-smoking rooms soon.

Chuck

We're thrilled to hear the buffet is now entirely non-smoking as we're non-smokers and had to put up with smoke blowing in our faces as we ate unless we trudged over to the far side of the stage where the tiny non-smoking area was.

In fairness to the smokers, though, it would have been nice if a small smoking-allowed area had remained for the die-hard smokers - the area that used to be the non-smoking area, perhaps, as it was well away from the food and the majority of the other diners.

Jamaica is turning into the fifty-first state of the US! Soon we'll have to find a new Jamaica to escape from the fascist policies in the old Jamaica.

The no smoking rules at Hedo are a far cry from the early days at Hedo! Who here remembers when cigarettes were included in the A-I package? I think you could just ask for a smoke at the bar and they would give you one, well if you could stand those "Craven A" smokes I mean. This was stopped (I think) by the time we first went to Hedo in 1989 or 1990.
It is always better for my wife and I when there is a 'no smoking' anything. The smell of it is really problematic sometimes and makes it tough be some places sometimes. This will be a tough adjustment for the smokers though, but I am sure the smokers know and appreciate how many years most of us spent breathing or avoiding their smoke in the dining room, piano bar, etc... Hopefully it will not be too much of a hardship. It will be a welcome change for the non-smokers. I just hope that the guests will honor it and that management will deal with those who violate it.
Respect-
Roy in VA

As a previous 25 yr smoker and not smoked for 12 plus years,I can appreciate not smoking every where. But being a smoker in the past I understand what you go thru.It is hard for those who don't smoke to deal with, just lighting one up.(Does it ever go away?)
My thought is just be respectful of those around and go with it
Bob

I was told that the no smoking policy would apply to all "covered" common areas..not just the dining area.
Cool runnings,
Doc from Buffalo

Covered common areas:

What comes to mind with this policy (besides the piano bar and Pastafari):
Munason
casino
sundry shop
spa
exercise room
TV room
watersports hut
main lobby
tour office
internet cafe
main bar
all main dining room food areas
Jewelry shop(?)
disco(!)
disco bar(!)
ping-pong and billiards/pool area
all public bathrooms (main bar, disco, prude beach, nude beach)
squash building (like that is so used)
covered walkways around rooms(?)

What did I forget?
Chuck

I know I might piss on some peoples parade but I would not mind if the nude pool itself were non-smoking.
Smoking on the concrete next to the pool is fine. However last time I was there, floating around minding my own business when a small group were smoking..
Mind you they were smoking ganga which made it worse for me. Only because the ganga this particular group had smelled like KY stink weed or dog crap.. whatever it was they were smoking, it was not the usual sweet smell, their stuff just plane stank.
I dont care if people smoke ganga or not but please dont do it in the actual pool.

Well I guess the smokers will eat and leave the buffet. The Jacuzzi will be happening earlier. It is bad enough sitting through the same shows over and over now I am going to have to leave the buffet to smoke. I rather find other things to do like go to the Jacuzzi or pool.

I don't smoke anymore, but David still does. While not wanting to infringe on a non-smokers rights, He is tired of being told NO everywhere he goes. He really enjoys sitting in the dining room & watching the shows and relaxing while having a smoke. We try to sit in areas where the smoke won't offend. Why not just have a smoking side & non smoking side? Usually a breeze to carry it out. We don't go to the piano bar anymore because of the smoking ban. Hedo is for fun, not all the rules we have to put up with at home.With all the good money we all spend at Hedo, we should be able to smoke, off to the side and enjoy our vacation. Alot of smokers are going to be really ,REALLY pissed.

Damn...Thought by the title of this thread that they were allowing us to smoke ganja on the chow line..........

Damn...

No but maybe they will serve special brownies!!!

As long as there are tables left set up out by the prude pool area for smokers, we will be fine.

As a non smoker, the dining room is so open that I was never bothered by smoke there. The piano bar and disco were often smoky enough to bother me. I do recall when bowls of cigs were available for all in the dining room and office area.
Respect,

As much as I support the rights of smokers to puff away (away from me that is), even at 20 feet away in the open air I can smell it and cough because of cigarette smoke. And it sticks to hair and clothes too.

I'm always amused by smokers who think that because they are outside that they don't stink up the air around them.

And few pay attention to the signs in the USA asking smokers to stay 15-25 feet away from entrances. I'm forced to hold my breath when approaching most building entrances to avoid a lung-full of smoke.

When smokers come inside with their lungs all filled with smoke I can smell them then too. Smokers' ability to smell is way different from nonsmokers.

On the other hand, I fully support their right to smoke in their own cars and homes and at a huge distance from me at their pleasure.

I support each of our rights to suicide and euthanasia too.

Although I applaud Hedo's effort to create so many smoke-free zones (I've been thrilled with the piano bar and Pastafari being smoke-free), the new rules do take away from a sense of freedom the resort has long promoted.

What's most interesting to me is that for most years of my life, I had to physically remove myself from the smokers to be able to breath clean air. I missed out on a lot (in piano bar, disco, fun table conversations, etc.

And now that the tables are turned, some smokers are unhappy that they must physically remove themselves to participate in their habit.

I'm a smoker and I think it's OK to give some respect to non-smokers by stepping outside. We resent having to step outside in sub-freezing weather at home, but in JA, it's irie. Hedo is about freedom, but we always have respect to consider while at Hedo.

Excellent news!

Chad

The only thing I have to say about the non smoking is you have to designate a place for us too, maybe the squash court, and open up a new bar there for smokers and have different music there.

I still think they should open a cigar-and-martini bar. A piano player tinkling out Sinatra standards would be great, but piped-in music would be sufficient.......Jake

I agree with Chicago Jake with his idea. I can picture myself with a muduro Arturo Fuente in my hands while listening to Dean Martin's "Volare".

And they could sell more of their ridiculously-priced ten dollar stogies; that might even be enough revenue to let them cancel night passes!

"I support each of our rights to suicide and euthanasia too."

Chris....you never cease to crack me up...love your sarcasm! Freak'n awesome

Chicago Jake, great Idea!!! They could move the Martini bar set up there and I agree with the music too.

I smoke and am not offended by this.
I always sit in the non smoking sections when we go out to eat.
I go outside to smoke in my own house
I go outside to smoke at work.

smoking is a nasty habit that I wish I could quit
We as smokers have the right to smoke, but we don't have the right to ruin other peoples vacations/dinner etc. freedom of choice goes both ways.

I just hope the areas just past the covering of the Dinning room dosent become an open ashtray with butts being thrown all over the place. I do not smoke but my wife does of course we are respectful but not everyone is and i could only picture people throwing there butts to the ground.Here in CT look outside most restaurants(We have a no smoking policy in all bar and restaurants)you will find a mess with people just tossing them to the ground even if there is a place to dump them.

We are both smokers and have always been considerte of those around us what ever we happen to be smokin at the time I just hope that the policy dosen't effect the rest of the resort. Like the hot tub or the pool, because the would really suck. 6 days and a wake up yyaaahhhhooooo !!!!

I agree with you J&T, I am also a smoker. I always make sure to be considerate of others around me that do not smoke.

I understand the resort taking smoking out of the common eating areas, however, I really do hope that they do not do away with smoking in and around the pool or hottubs.

Kelly

Hedobob, "I just hope the areas just past the covering of the Dining room doesn't become an open ashtray with butts being thrown all over the place."

OK Smokers: Let's keep our butts clean...

Have they (or are they planning to) replace the hot tub above the Disco?
If not, that can become a smoking zone. Put up a wind/rain shield, and make it nice so smokers don't have to be too put out.

And brownies for the rest of us would be nice too.

Of course the covering are of the Dining room is going to become a ash tray also around the prude pool. Where else are they going to smoke.

I have some friends who smoke and some of them are courteous when they smoke. That means they don't smoke around me.

Just being nosey (honest, not trying to be pissy)...What does it mean to other smokers?

I was just curious.

Honestly Chris, we really don't mind the recent update I didn't smoke that much at the table anyway I would go over by the prude pool but thats just us. But what I would really get upset about is if it reached to the pool and hot tub. By the way we bought your book 2 years ago and we still read it, it helps with the DIF. 5 days until we are home again.

From what I read in Buffalo Doc's post, the non-smoking ban applies to COVERED public areas.

Rest easy,
Chuck

As the occasional smoker of a premium cigar and ex-cigarette smoker, I favor people being allowed to smoke outdoors or in a cigar bar. IMHO the dining room is outdoors. It's so open that smoke has never bothered my wife or me--and we're hypersensitive to the putrid chemical-stench that is cigarette smoke and its foul residue. My heart goes out to the folks who, having paid top dollar for a resort vacation many times over and always enjoyed a smoke with the (outdoor) dinner show, now cannot do so. We're huge fans of indoor smoking bans anywhere, because IMO my right to enjoy the temporary flavor of tobacco smoke ends where my neighbor's right to enjoy toxin-free, life-giving oxygen begins. But outside, at a ballpark, open-air bar, concert, etc....the smoke is so diluted by air, I just deal. People should be free to smoke--whatever they damn well please--as long as it doesn't endanger anyone else. Unless I missed the latest news report, we are still guaranteed the God-given right to liberty and the pursuit of happiness, right?

At least that's what I infer from my copy of the Declaration of Independence. Far as I know, nobody's gotten around to dashing off any Executive Order voiding that Declaration just yet.

holding my breath with peace & respect
h

hy, not to rain on your declaration of independence parade here, but isnt that document American made? and isnt that dining room in jamaica?

I smoke cigars at hedo like they are candy. I love them, and try to limit myself at home, but put no such limits on cigars at hedo. I too am disappointed that the OPEN AIR dining room will be made smoke free. I think they ought to have a section that is smoke free for those sensitive to it, and leave the rest of us be, but hell I only eat at pastafari anyway. so im used to it.

i will miss that pre dinner smoke at the main bar tho. I will continue to smoke them out on the pool deck before dinner, and of course dispose of my cigar butts in a courteous way.

I smile when people think that that "open air" dilutes the smoke.

If there's a strong breeze that's not in my direction, I agree, but otherwise, I can smell you from 15 feet away, whether you are on the beach or in the dining room.

Hy--I don't want to pick a fight by any stretch since you are cool in my mind's eye--but just want to make sure that when your liberties and pursuit of happiness take away from mine then I must request a negotiation.

BUT all my mincing of words is not to say I don't think that Hedo has gone overboard with this "covered area" smoking ban...it probably has...but it's to my greedy little benefit so I'm not complaining.

I do sympathize fully with those who don't like this new ban and wouldn't argue to keep the ban.

Not only does the Declaration of Independence not cover Jamaica, it does not even cover American private organizations. It is only meant to be a limit on the powers of the US Government.

While I'm as disappointed in this new ban as anyone else, I couldn't sit by and let a Constitutional argument be misapplied.....Jake

Please don't paint Jamaica with the Hedo paint brush!!

We stay at lots of other places where smoking...of various substances...is not an issue...in the room, outside, at the bar, etc.

Hedo is NOT Jamaica!!

Edited to add: as a former smoker I'm thrilled to hear of the new policy for myself and not thrilled to hear of it re: smokers rights.

Liz

The problem with this change is that where will it end?

Perfume/Cologne can be worse than any cigar/cigarette smell out there. Should we lobby Hedo to ban that now? (My wife has asthma and nasty perfume/cologne affects her lungs more than any cigarette/cigar ever has.)

If we want to talk about health issues should we even get into the sexual activities that happen all over the resort and what bodily fluids that are left everywhere? Should we lobby Hedo to stop open air sexual activities?

I love when ppl jump on the band wagon because they are offended by action XYZ.

I have been visiting Hedo for 11 years now and the reason my wife and I go is because the freedom that Hedo offers. Taking away this act is just one freedom they have taken away, where will it stop?

I have no problem with closed areas being smoke free. They should have offered a smoking/non-smoking section. (Which they have for the past few years.)

I cannot stand the smell of a cigar but I would NEVER ask/tell/lobby a person put it out or go somewhere else. Until Jamaica makes it illegal to smoke cigarettes/cigars then those smokers have the right to do so.

The main problem Hedo or any Corp. has it that you will NOT please everyone, the reason that ALL of us go to Hedo is because of the freedom's and liberties it provides to ALL of us. We all take the good with the bad, ppl talk about how they hate the food, ppl argue "I am not here for the food". The list goes on and on. The bottom line is stop changing policies and work on the larger picture, e.g. food, A/C, hot water etc.
(I personally like the food, A/C has always been fine with me, hot water has been great)

MatureWomanRock-