Guests Prefer Smoke-Free Environments
The Vast Majority of Adults Don’t Smoke
79% of U.S. adults and 83% of Minnesota adults are nonsmokers.1,2 Low smoking rates and increasing awareness of the harmful impact of secondhand smoke make smoke-free spaces the norm. Most places where people work and recreate are now smoke-free and nearly 75% of households do not allow smoking anywhere in the home.3 People expect smoke-free spaces and readily notice the telltale odor of secondhand smoke. Because of the way that air transfers inside, the only way to achieve a truly smoke-free environment is through a policy that covers all indoor areas.
Guests Prefer Smoke-Free Lodging Establishments
89% of hotel guests prefer a 100% smoke-free hotel environment.4 Despite this demand, it is estimated that only 16% of Minnesota lodging establishments are smoke-free.5,6
Minnesota Managers Report Positive Experiences
“Everybody loves it” said one Minnesota hotel manager in reference to her hotel’s smoke-free policy.7
When asked if the smoke-free policy put her hotel at a competitive advantage, one manager stated: “Yes, the hotel industry is small—I talk to people who manage smoking hotels. They say that their status hurts their business. Someone I talked to told me that the only rooms vacant on the weekend are the smoking rooms. Here, we have smokers stay with us. A lot of smokers still want a smoke-free room. But, nonsmokers don’t want to smell smoke.” Managers also report that smoke-free policies result in reduced cleaning and maintenance costs.7
- “Cigarette Smoking Among Adults and Trends in Smoking Cessation—United States, 2008.” MMWR: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 30 Nov. 2009. http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5844a2.htm
- Minnesota Adult Tobacco Survey, 2007. http://www.mntobacco.nonprofitoffice.com
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “State-Specific Prevalence of Current Cigarette Smoking Among Adults and Secondhand Smoke Rules and Policies in Homes and Workplaces--United States, 2005.” Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. 2006: 55(42):1148-1151. http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5542a2.htm
- PRNewswire, “J.D. Power and Associates reports: hotel guests are considerably less satisfied in 2008, primarily due to issues with amenities and guest room features,” CNNMoney.com, July 29, 2008
- American Hotel & Lodging Association, Information Center website. http://www.ahla.com/default.aspx
- USA Today. “More Hotels Go Completely Smoke-Free.” 18 Nov. 2008.
http://www.usatoday.com/travel/hotels/2008-11-17-smoke-free-hotels-no-smoking_N.htm#chart
- Key informant interviews conducted by the Smoke-Free Lodging program, 2010.