Big Smoke at the Marriott Marquis

Sue Pelletier September 21st, 2007

Even though Marriott last year announced that it was going 100 percent smoke-free, the Marriott Marquis in New York will be hosting something called the Big Smoke, a gathering of cigar aficionados that will donate a portion of the proceeds to something called Prostate Cancer Research. According to the Cigar Aficionado Web site, the meeting will be “in compliance with NYS guidelines,” but I’m curious how Marriott will be handling it to be in accordance with its smoke-free mandate, since cigars are definitely on the menu.

I heard about this from John Banzhaf, Executive Director of Action on Smoking and Health, an anti-smoking group, who sends around e-mails about this sort of thing. The e-mail said:

“Once announced and unless withdrawn, companies must adhere to promises made to customers,” says Banzhaf, noting that McDonald’s was recently forced to pay $8 million when it reneged on its publicly-announced promise to remove trans fat from the foods it served. In addition to tarnishing its image, Marriott should be concerned about its legal liability if it subjects its employees and the majority of its guests to acrid cigar smoke in its supposedly “100 Percent Smoke-Free” hotel, he says.

I haven’t talked with either Cigar Aficionado or the Marriott Marquis, so I’m not sure what sort of arrangement they made, but I’d be curious to find out.

Update: I’ve spoken with both Banzhaf and a Marriott rep since posting this. The resulting article is here.

 Email This Post

Related Topics: Hospitality news, Uncategorized

6 Comments to “Big Smoke at the Marriott Marquis”

1. Paul Nielsen Says:
   

   September 21st, 2007 at 4:48 pm

   I had thought quite highly of the Marriott chain for being very proactive when it came to protecting non-smoker’s health. I’m now not quite so sure. Hopefully they’ll clarify this, and we’ll find out that any smoking will be outside the hotel.

2. Greg Berkemer Says:
   

   October 4th, 2007 at 8:31 pm

   Marriott is an independent business in a free country. A one night exception fullfilling a contractural agreement does not violate a company policy that continues to apply to hundreds of properties with thousands of meeting rooms worldwide.

   Smoking and tobacco products remain a legal endeavour. In America private businesses do not have be accountable to self appointed single agenda groups. My suggestion to ASH is DON’T ATTEND.

3. Tim Steele Says:
   

   October 6th, 2007 at 1:27 pm

   I doubt that a one-night group event is going to change Marriott smoking standards completely.

   The Marquis has been hosting this event for years, and has simply honored a long-standing agreement with a client.

   If the smoke worries people for one night, they should simply find alternative arrangements for this time period. Making a big deal about it helps no one, and it isnt even worth the argument.

   Just a thought.

4. Nancy Norman Says:
   

   October 6th, 2007 at 4:58 pm

   Marriott Hotels are either 100% Non-smoking Hotels or they are not. They cannot be a 100% Non-Smoking Hotel and then have their Cigar Affecionados come to their hotel two years straight (2007-2008)after the declaration has been in use since 2006. Marriott simply cannot grasp the honorable title of 100% Non-smoking hotels and all of the press and other good things that come from that declaration…and then not honor that policy. It has nothing to do with the law…the Marriott Hotel Corporation has made a statement that their hotels are all 100% Smoke Free and they have lied because it simply is not so. They apparently place more importance on their clients than on their employees and their individual guests who also have contracts with the hotel to stay in a 100% Non-smoking Hotel. They are breaching their contracts with all of the individual guests in the hotel during this meeting. Will Marriott Hotels say they are 100% green…and then reneg when a client does not want to have green requirements followed? Who can believe anything the Marriott says? Consider their fiasco with the IATA # problem…those with large conferences are not required in many instances to comply…why you say? Money…simply, Money…and of course, that’s what this Cigar meeting is all about…do you really think it’s just because they have been a good client? If a hotel corporation states it is 100% Non-smoking, that means on every day of every year…not just when it’s convenient. Will the Marriott announce to their individual guests on the evening in question that Cigar smoking will be on the premises? When will they announce this…when the person is checking in and it’s too late to find another room in NYC? Hosting this program “for YEARS’ really has nothing to do with the problem, either…if that were so, they should have announced a disclaimer for this conference due to contractual considerations…in 2006. Can the employees serving this meeting have a day off so they don’t have to breathe cigar smoke - this being a free country and all…? And I disagree with Tim Steele who says that we should not make a big deal out of this…why not? If you promote that you have a 100% Non-Smoking policy and then allow smoking in the hotel…that IS a big deal…you are deliberately and arrogantly deceiving the public. If Marriott Hotels want to allow smoking in their hotels now and again, they should not promote a non-smoking policy - quite simple.

5. Cynthia Cooper Says:
   

   October 10th, 2007 at 4:06 pm

   Frankly, if I am paying $200 a night for a room because I am forced to travel, i should be able to do whatever the heck I want in that room. There is nothing wrong with having an upper floor with rooms for smokers-I smoke, but am always respectful of others, however, I am “renting” the room for the night and should be able to smoke if I want to. putting in a vent, and making sure smoking rooms have balconies, etc. would not be a big issue-it’s not infringing on anyone else.

6. Amber parke Says:
   

   November 15th, 2007 at 11:02 pm

   Ash, Have got to much of their own way, it is not against the law to be able to smoke in a hotel bedroom, and business is business all guests should be catered for and not discriminated against for smoking. cigarette smoking is legal.Althogh smoking in enclosed public spaces is banned smoking bedrooms are allowed.The marriott hotel chain should be able to decide for themselves not Ash.Do people realise that some staff may smoke also, most considerate smokers comply with the law but by making it harder and harder and being treated like something to be thrown out with the rubbish smokers are voting and choosing with their wallets and will take their business elsewhere.I have in the past been a cleaner in hotel bedrooms so before we get to the smell issue I can tell you that some non smokers rooms I have had to clean urghh the smell of alchohol etc etc has knocked me over and other mess , food all over bedding I could go and on those people should have been banned for future stays in the hotel I worked at(not A marriott by the way)Air filtration actually makes the air cleaner inside than outside also studies have proved that but dismissed without even been looked at because it doesn’t suit Ash.

Leave a Comment