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NARP reports at it's public access Hotline dated Feb 8:
quote:--Auto Train to become completely non-smoking effective July 1: The lower-level smoking lounge in the cafe car will be removed. Smokers will only be allowed to detrain atFlorence,SC (crew change stop), scheduled for 11:44 to 11:59 PM southbound and 12:30 to 12:45 AM northbound. After July 1, no on-board smoking will be allowed throughout the Amtrak system
I first learned of this report at another site.
But for us, how about some discussion of getting rid of the last vestige of foul fog aboard any Amtrak train.
Let's keep it mature and respectful; 60 Mass, are you reading?
Henry Kisor Member # 4776
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I read this somewhere as well, not on NARP, but the source may have been speculative—I don't remember.
I agree that an utter and complete ban of tobacco everywhere Amtrak goes is long overdue.
That said, AutoTrain personnel will certainly have their hands full with those unable to make the trip without a cigarette. The foul fog may emanate from lower level bathrooms.
There will probably be an uptick in the number of smokers who decide to drive instead of taking the train.
Gilbert B Norman Member # 1541
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Even though a Florida trip, and hence Auto Train "Voyage #21" is not in the cards this year (and would have occurred well prior to the July effective date noted), take it from one who has "been there done that", the smoke suppressors do not work well enough for all. I personally can live with it, but then my Lounge time is essentially limited to the pre-departure wine tasting - hey, I'm payin' for that privacy the Bedroom offers - use it.
I can recall an '01 journey in which I was having nice conversation with a couple but suddenly it was over; she smelled the foul fog. It may even been my fault she did when she asked "where do they allow smoking; it says they do somewhere", "Oh that's down below in this car in a pretty well sealed room:.
They were Adios - and I liked them.
Regarding a comment made at the other site where I learned of this possible development, the likely-smoker member noted "there goes 20% of your business, Amtrak". That probably means "there goes 20% of your demographic population from which to fill up your train, Amtrak". But somehow, I think for the "40+" demo (60+ in the Sleepers) that noted "20%" is far less. For myself, it is almost the truth "I don't know anybody who smokes" and it is the whole truth nobody does it around me.
And finally, I can only hope that those holding "smokers have rights too" sentiments would not have occasion to visit, say, Australia. KLAX-YSSY is 15h nonstop. Maybe the foreign flagged carrier on the route, Qantas, permits the foul fog, but pretty safe assumption, without actually wading through their sites to check, neither US carrier - UA or DL -will permit same.
Mike Smith Member # 447
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This will all be mute in the very near future.
I have two friends that smoke, but no longer smoke cigarettes. They have switched to the Ecigs, and an now "smoke" anywhere they want to, while saving a TON of money. Ecigs are about $20 every 2 weeks, instead of the $6.50 daily they used to pay.
Geoff Mayo Member # 153
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Good - though I doubt I'll ever ride that particular train.
GBN, Qantas banned smoking on its flights in the early 1990s. I doubt any international routes allow smoking anymore, though maybe it's possible on some domestic routes in the Middle East.
A good test will be to see if Las Vegas / Nevada bans smoking. It would certainly be more attractive for me if it did. But I wonder how much income is generated from cigarette sales.
Henry Kisor Member # 4776
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Amtrak's smoking policy says electronic cigarettes are forbidden.
Evidently the jury is still out on whether they are safe for nonsmokers to be around, although there doesn't seem to be any indication otherwise, according to Wikipedia.
Perhaps Amtrak forbids e-gaspers because they look like real ones and it's easier for crew just to say NO to both.
Seems to me one could get away with surreptitiously inhaling an e-ciggy in a bathroom if it doesn't produce a foul fog.
sbalax Member # 2801
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E-cigarettes are not allowed on most airlines with which I am familiar.
You can add V-Australia to the list of non-smoking airlines flying LAX-SYD.
Frank in overcast and cold (for us) SBA.
smitty195 Member # 5102
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Are there any airlines left that still allow smoking? (Outside of the USA, of course).
notelvis Member # 3071
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Interesting development.
I doubt that this will result in much lost revenue for the AT though.
Mike Smith Member # 447
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Henry, there is no perceptible odor with the Ecig, that I can detect. I understand why Amtrak would ban them. They look like cigarettes being smoked, even the exhale appears to be smoke, instead of water vapor.
Anyone could fire up one of them in the bathroom or in their sleeper and Amtrak would not know. And I do not see how they could set off the smoke detector in a plane's bathroom, either.
RRRICH Member # 1418
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Electronic cigarettes?
Now I've heard everything...............
Yikes!!
Mike Smith Member # 447
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They even have a red light that glows when you pull air through the end. The first time I saw one, I thought it was a cigarette.
Geoff Mayo Member # 153
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Ireland's airline that everybody loves to hate (mostly because it is worthy of hating once their bait and switch kicks in - flights for 1c but if you want to actually board it, you pay a check-in fee, baggage fees, ete etc) has apparently suggested this:
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