Fewer Americans smoke than at any time in history.
"Current smoking has declined from 20.9% (nearly 21 of every 100 adults) in 2005 to 11.5% (nearly 12 of every 100 adults) in 2021," according to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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Those numbers have likely dropped further since then, but a significant number of people still smoke and cruise ships have to allow for that. Exactly how and where cruise ships allow smoking varies by line.
Both Carnival Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean allow players in their casinos to smoke; they also permit smoking in an outdoor area near the pool deck and usually on one other outdoor deck. Other cruise lines, including Celebrity Cruises, which is owned by Royal Caribbean Group, allow smoking outdoors but not in the casino.
No cruise line allows smoking in cabins or on private balconies. Passengers, however, have been known to violate those rules. That's something that's easier for some types of vape smokers, for reasons that "K" pushed to Carnival Brand Ambassador John Heald.
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Carnival answers a vaping question
Heald noted that answering any question about smoking might not be the easiest way to start his day.
"I must be a bit of a fool, actually I must be a huge massive yak-sized fool because I am going to start the day with the subject of smoking. Actually, 'K' is the chap who will be and I will follow on after," he wrote.
"K" took exception to Carnival (and other cruise lines) putting vape users in the same category as cigarette or cigar smokers.
"Vape smoke [devices] don't set off the alarms and there is no lasting smell or evidence that it was done. Vapers should be treated differently from smokers and given the freedom to smoke where they wish," they wrote.
"K" then went into an entitled rant based on his status level in Carnival's VIFP loyalty program.
"We are sick of being treated like third-class cruisers. Me and four of my friends all vape. Three are Gold level. I am Platinum. Our last booking was on the Miracle. Take a look at how much we spend on board. We vape and we are here. Get used to it," they added.
Heald kept his response, at least the direct part of it, brief.
"I know nothing about vaping except that it is considered smoking and that it can only be used while in the outdoor smoking areas or while playing in the smoking sections of the casino," he wrote.
"I respect your right to vape. Please respect the rights of people who do not enjoy your vaping and you must not and can not vape in non-smoking areas. If you are caught there will now be consequences including us replacing your vape with a kazoo."
Carnival passengers mostly support its smoking and vaping rules
Nearly 700 people commented on Heald's post.
"Thank you for treating vaping the same as smoking. I don’t want random chemicals in my lungs no matter what evidence may or may not say," Tony Swicer wrote.
Many people pushed back on the idea that vape smoke has no smell.
"My friend vapes and it smells," posted Debbie Clemens. "I don't know how long it lasts. I run when she pulls it out. I used to smoke so I can tell the difference between the two. Nowadays I would rather not smell either one but don't like it blown in my face. So this being said vaping is the same as smoking."
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Some accused "K" of being insensitive to people who opt not to smoke or vape.
"Why is it so hard for some people to understand that most nonsmokers don't want to be near smoking? They made the choice to live smoke-free, including vape," Kathy Clark wrote.
Some vapers and smokers appreciated having smoking areas on board at all.
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"I am a vaper and have no problem going in the area where the smokers are," wrote Lydia E. Medina. "They tend to gravitate because I have flavored ones. I particularly like the pineapple coconut one because it reminds me of the beaches but that's just me. Thanks for all you do John and happy cruising everyone."
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