Several weeks ago, the Surgeon General issued a report that reiterated what most of us already know: There is no safe level of secondhand cigarette smoke. The report stated that exposure to this smoke puts an estimated 126 million people at risk of heart disease, lung cancer and death. It also increases the risk of sudden infant death syndrome, respiratory conditions, ear infections and severe asthma. “The health effects of secondhand smoke exposure are more pervasive than we previously thought,” said Surgeon General Richard Carmona. Following the Surgeon General report, the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and...

Welcome to Green Lodging News! I am excited to launch this new Web site—www.greenlodgingnews.com—and its associated weekly e-newsletter. Every week day, the site will be updated with information-packed news and features, as well as information on the latest “green” products from the lodging industry’s leading vendors. On Monday of each week, I will bring you even more operations-oriented content by e-mail in the newsletter. It is no coincidence that I chose this moment in time to launch Green Lodging News. Increasing energy costs, a growing traveler and business awareness of environmental issues, and the desire by hotel operators...