NEEDHAM, MASS.—TripAdvisor, the world’s largest travel community, announced the results of its smoking survey of more than 1,400 travelers worldwide, revealing that nearly 90 percent of respondents believe hotels and restaurants need to be clearer about whether they are smoking or nonsmoking establishments, and where smoking is permitted and prohibited.
Eighty-six percent of travelers surveyed were nonsmokers. While only 14 percent identified themselves as smokers, 23 percent admitted to “social smoking.” Twenty-two percent of travelers said that visiting a city or country where smoking is prohibited is “always” a consideration, while 34 percent said it is “sometimes” a consideration. Whether a destination prohibits smoking is a bigger consideration among smokers than nonsmokers.
The biggest smoking pet peeve among respondents was checking into a designated nonsmoking room, only to find it reeking of smoke, according to nearly 50 percent of respondents. Thirty-six percent most resent having smoke waft on to them from another table at a restaurant. Among Europeans, the restaurant smoke violation is a greater offense than checking into a smoky hotel room.
Twenty-eight percent of travelers surveyed said they “always” avoid locations where smoking is allowed in public places (such as certain restaurants and hotel lobbies); 39 percent said it is something they “sometimes” avoid.
In Favor of Smoking Bans
Fifty-three percent of respondents agreed that smoking bans are “the greatest thing since sliced bread.” Twenty-one percent believe that smoking bans create a new nuisance, with smokers congregating outside of restaurant and hotel entrances.
About one-quarter (26 percent) of respondents believe there is a need for hotels in which smoking is permitted in all areas, eliminating the need for “smoking floors” in otherwise nonsmoking hotels. About one-third of travelers surveyed (33 percent) believe smokers should be allowed to puff away in open-air restaurants and lines. Six percent of respondents said smoking bans are unnecessary.
When asked how they address people who violate nonsmoking areas, 39 percent said they move to another area, 22 percent ignore it, and 19 percent ask the perpetrator to stop or move. Twenty percent go so far as to call management. Europeans are more confrontational than Americans, as about one quarter will ask a smoker to stop or move, compared to only 15 percent of those from the United States, who are far more likely to just move to another area.
When asked about the fines for smoking violations, 53 percent said they are not familiar with the fines, 23 percent said they are too small, 17 percent said just right, and seven percent believe they are excessive.
According to the survey, France is the “smokiest” country in the world by a landslide 25 percent of the vote, followed by the United States and China, with seven percent each.
“Travelers, for the most part, seem to have a ‘live and let smoke’ philosophy,” says Michele Perry, director of communications for TripAdvisor. “While there is a public outcry for restaurants and hotels to better define smoking areas, it is interesting to note that one-third of respondents actually support smokers’ rights in open-air restaurants and lines.”
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