Is Smoking Ban To Blame For Hawaii Tourism Slump?

“Again, we can't help wondering about this correlation”

According to Travel Hawaii LLC, Hawaii's tourism industry is in a slump, with overall January arrivals down nearly 6 percent from January 2006 and the lucrative Japanese market down over 12 percent. via Hotels

[Doug Rogers]

Yes, I'm a 20 year visitor that will not come back. I'm sick of public officials (including an ex-smoker Governor with an agenda) telling me what to do. If I'm sitting on a hotel balcony with the door shut, no one is affected, and with so many Japanese tourists smokers, I think you just killed your tourism industry. I for one, will not be back and instead will go to Mexican resorts.

[Michael Z]

The whistle got blown this winter when a survey independent of the tobacco companies or the paid anti-smoking groups was done on what the owners and managers know first hand about the impact that the anti-smoking groups lied about for two months. This is the reality for bars. This is just part of the list due to size the limit.
Porky's Down 50% Kathy Wants Ban Removed
Kailua Palace Down 50% Roy Wants Ban Removed
Ohana Lounge Down 90% Cory Wants Ban Removed
Tiares Down 30-40% Sophia Wants Ban Removed
Whitneys Down 45% Chae Wants Ban Removed
Ohana Lounge Down 70% Cory Wants Ban Removed
Komo Mai's Down 50% Ann Wants Ban Removed
Flamingo's Down 20% Angela Wants Ban Removed
Whittney Down 40% Mike Wants Ban Removed
Rock Rose Tavern Down 20% Niko Wants Ban Removed
Rosa's Ice Tee Down 50% Ice Wants Ban Removed
Panama Hattie Down 30% Larry Wants Ban Removed
Top Hat Down 25% John Wants Ban Removed
Club Bunny girls Down 50% Young Wants Ban Removed
Club Marie Down 50% Marie Wants Ban Removed
Baijo's Down 35% Me Chan Wants Ban Removed
Old Kemoo Pub Down 15% Jake Wants Ban Removed
Hui Ohana's Down 50% Clay Wants Ban Removed
Mel Rose Down 20% Rosie Wants Ban Removed
Leeward Bowl Down 25% Richard Wants Ban Removed
Sunflower Down 10% Yong Likes the Ban
Club Chance Down 50% Per Owner Wants Ban Removed
Club Festival Down 50% Soo Yoong Wants Ban Removed
Diamond Castle Down 50% Per Owner Wants Ban Removed
Red Carnation Down 30% Per Owner Wants Ban Removed
Club Join Us Down 40% Candi Wants Ban Removed
Club Electro No Change Per Owner Doesn't Care
Ting's Down 50 % Ting Wants Ban Removed
Oasis Lounge Down 30% Kathy Wants Ban Removed
Club House Down 50% Su Gen Wants Ban Removed
Club Sahara Down 50% Per Owner Wants Ban Removed
Lagoon 500 Down 25% Sonya Wants Ban Removed
Club C&R Down 50% Per Owner Wants Ban Removed
Café Bronco Down 10% Akiko Wants Ban Removed
Imperial Lounge Down 50% Linda Wants Ban Removed
Club Soo Mi Down 30% Soo Mi Wants Ban Removed
Club Pieces Down 40% Diane Wants Ban Removed
Linda's Karaoke Down 20% Linda Wants Ban Removed
Club All In Down 40-50% Uni Wants Ban Removed
Club Jihae Down 40% Jihae Wants Ban Removed
Club Monabi Down 40% Mona Wants Ban Removed
Shinsotei No Change Helen Likes the Ban
Yuraku Cho Down 20% Harry Wants Ban Removed
Paul & Terry's Down 25% Paul Wants Ban Removed
Club Tahoe No Change Jay Wants Ban Removed
Club New Bangkok Down 50% At Wants Ban Removed
Club Sundance Down 25% Kim Sa Wants ban Removed
Club Hibiscus Down 30% Bobby Wants Ban Removed
Ward Room Down 25% Miki Wants Ban Removed
Cafe Duck Butt Down 30-40% Jenny Wants Ban Removed
Just One Down 35% Andy Wants Ban Removed
Club 7 Kings Down 50% Pat Wants Ban Removed
Twenty Ten Down 50% Stacey Wants Ban Removed
King St Café Down 10% Per Manager Doesn't Care
Pig Skins Down 40% Lance Wants Ban Removed
Crystal Palace Down 25% Joe Wants Ban Removed
Club Secret Down 50% Per Owner Wants Ban Removed
Club Romantei Down 45% Danny Wants Ban Removed
Anna Banana's Down 20% Tim Wants Ban Removed
Sand Island Bar Down 30% Tonie Wants Ban Removed
J's Sports Bar No Change Likes the Ban
Club Genji Down 15% Wants Ban Removed
Aku Bones Down 10% Kim Wants Ban Removed
Amy's Place Down 25% Amy Wants Ban Removed
Ke Kais Down 20% Pat Wants Ban Removed
New Hanahou Down 55% Youn Wants Ban Removed
Gold Gate Lounge Down 25% Michelle Wants Ban Removed
Blue Sea Lounge Down 10% Lee Wants Ban Removed
Cache Down 25% Yvette Wants Ban Removed
Club Velvet Down 50 % Valerie Wants Ban Removed
Cheer's Karaoke Down 10% JohnsonWants Ban Removed

85% have lost business or oppose the ban. The average loss is 32%.
Many are braking the law just to stop the pain now with illegal seating or smoking inside. Just another warning sign about the delayed effect on tourism. I wouldn't come here.
Thank You and Mahalo

[glensmark]

WHY would a smoker want to go to Hawaii after flying for hours and hours without a smoke and then when they land they find NO place they can have a smoke..

[OHtraveler]

My family and I were considering booking to Hawaii this year since my brother and his family went last year and had a great time. However, due to the smoking ban, we booked our vacation in Mexico instead.

[Old Joe]

IF as they say about 20% of americans smoke then you could expect a fall in tourism, Beyond that you may see people NOT going since some of there friends are smokers that would have gone with them.

And then consider the Japan population the smoking rate among men is 50%. You can see where some of those figures can be right on the mark.

Now tell the business man in hawaii it is too bad about your business but this is a Health issue.. I guess the business man who can not afford to eat is NOT a health issue???

[Zenith faithful aol]

Doug Rogers wrote:

Yes, I'm a 20 year visitor that will not come back. I'm sick of public officials (including an ex-smoker Governor with an agenda) telling me what to do. If I'm sitting on a hotel balcony with the door shut, no one is affected, and with so many Japanese tourists smokers, I think you just killed your tourism industry. I for one, will not be back and instead will go to Mexican resorts.

good!!!!

[MeTwo]

In Japan 50% of the Male Population Smokes and they live LONGER than the men in the USA by 3 years average. Now you are going to tell them if they come to Hawaii they can not smoke. When over 40% of their tourist business is from Japan.
WAY TO GO HAWAII. I Just got back from Vegas, I can tell you where they are going now, the palce was crawling with them.

[jazz]

Doug Rogers wrote:

Yes, I'm a 20 year visitor that will not come back. I'm sick of public officials (including an ex-smoker Governor with an agenda) telling me what to do. If I'm sitting on a hotel balcony with the door shut, no one is affected, and with so many Japanese tourists smokers, I think you just killed your tourism industry. I for one, will not be back and instead will go to Mexican resorts.

Dem Mexicans,Day gona steel yous blind my friend.

[Amazed]

Why would I want to go anywhere on vacation where my choices during relaxation are nixed. No Thank You! I'd rather stay home and watch old movies (non-altered ones).

[My Oh My]

Did you hear about the new ban coming? Some areas want to ban public toilets due to 'germs' and 'don't like the smell'. One group said they want to ban them as they don't want others to know that they 'go'. Another group said 'it is terrible that people remove their pants in a public place'.

[Valerie]

Im trying to Plan my Family vacation, In the end I will be spending around 9,000 dollars, I was planning to take my family to Hawaii, But Im reconsidering now!!! I dont mind not smoking inside, as a matter of fact i never get smoking rooms, dont even smoke in my own home, but I do smoke outside, WHY would I want to spend that much money, not including what I would spend their,And not even be able to Enjoy myself, I would have to run down to the beach early every morning with my coffee and right before I go to bed, because i wouldnt be able to smoke outside at the resort.. thats costing me almost 10 grand!!!!!! I DONT THINK SO, MEXICO is where its at, Maya Riveria has much nicer water anyway!!!!!! Ill give them My money and enjoy myself....:>

[Pat]

Definitely Mexico for me too and we always spend upwards of $8,000. I'll never go to Hawaii again, since I'm a smoker and all my family are smokers and we are in perfect health. A place like this with laws like this is tyrannical. I hope the tourism industry continues it's decline. I wish all the above restaurants and bars could sue the health people that took their business away from them.

[playntravel4fun]

Michael Z wrote:

The whistle got blown this winter when a survey independent of the tobacco companies or the paid anti-smoking groups was done on what the owners and managers know first hand about the impact that the anti-smoking groups lied about for two months. This is the reality for bars. This is just part of the list due to size the limit.
Porky's Down 50% Kathy Wants Ban Removed
Kailua Palace Down 50% Roy Wants Ban Removed
Ohana Lounge Down 90% Cory Wants Ban Removed
Tiares Down 30-40% Sophia Wants Ban Removed
Whitneys Down 45% Chae Wants Ban Removed
Ohana Lounge Down 70% Cory Wants Ban Removed
Komo Mai's Down 50% Ann Wants Ban Removed
Flamingo's Down 20% Angela Wants Ban Removed
Whittney Down 40% Mike Wants Ban Removed
Rock Rose Tavern Down 20% Niko Wants Ban Removed
Rosa's Ice Tee Down 50% Ice Wants Ban Removed
Panama Hattie Down 30% Larry Wants Ban Removed
Top Hat Down 25% John Wants Ban Removed
Club Bunny girls Down 50% Young Wants Ban Removed
Club Marie Down 50% Marie Wants Ban Removed
Baijo's Down 35% Me Chan Wants Ban Removed
Old Kemoo Pub Down 15% Jake Wants Ban Removed
Hui Ohana's Down 50% Clay Wants Ban Removed
Mel Rose Down 20% Rosie Wants Ban Removed
Leeward Bowl Down 25% Richard Wants Ban Removed
Sunflower Down 10% Yong Likes the Ban
Club Chance Down 50% Per Owner Wants Ban Removed
Club Festival Down 50% Soo Yoong Wants Ban Removed
Diamond Castle Down 50% Per Owner Wants Ban Removed
Red Carnation Down 30% Per Owner Wants Ban Removed
Club Join Us Down 40% Candi Wants Ban Removed
Club Electro No Change Per Owner Doesn't Care
Ting's Down 50 % Ting Wants Ban Removed
Oasis Lounge Down 30% Kathy Wants Ban Removed
Club House Down 50% Su Gen Wants Ban Removed
Club Sahara Down 50% Per Owner Wants Ban Removed
Lagoon 500 Down 25% Sonya Wants Ban Removed

Club Velvet Down 50 % Valerie Wants Ban Removed
Cheer's Karaoke Down 10% JohnsonWants Ban Removed
85% have lost business or oppose the ban. The average loss is 32%.
Many are braking the law just to stop the pain now with illegal seating or smoking inside. Just another warning sign about the delayed effect on tourism. I wouldn't come here.
Thank You and Mahalo

Well get ready to stay home because the smoking ban is spreading like a California wildfire. Just go to Yahoo and conduct a news search for the words "smoking ban". Nearly half the population in the U.S. is now protected by the ban. You,ll find the ban has spread to Germany, England, Ireland, Wales etc. Wait, maybe you can go to Afganistan. Want the nuber to the recruiters office??

[History Buff]

I'll keep my money at home thank you. No way in heck would I spend the big bucks to travel to a place where freedom and common sense does not exist.

I should mention also that when places pass laws based on wide spread deceit, they don't deserve to survive since they can't take the time to do the research into motives, who is behind it, who gains, who is financing it all, etc.

How are they going to explain away the news bans scheduled? Alcohol bans (for one) begin officially in 2009. It pays to do honest research and not be bribed/bought!

[playntravel4fun]

History Buff wrote:

I'll keep my money at home thank you. No way in heck would I spend the big bucks to travel to a place where freedom and common sense does not exist.
I should mention also that when places pass laws based on wide spread deceit, they don't deserve to survive since they can't take the time to do the research into motives, who is behind it, who gains, who is financing it all, etc.
How are they going to explain away the news bans scheduled? Alcohol bans (for one) begin officially in 2009. It pays to do honest research and not be bribed/bought!

The anger of smokers is directed at the wrong people.......... They should be angry at RJ Reynolds Tobbaco Co.......... It is those types of companies who have tricked smokers into slavery for their own corporate profits. Smoking is a sickness, smokers should seek help.

[playntravel4fun]

Doug Rogers wrote:

Yes, I'm a 20 year visitor that will not come back. I'm sick of public officials (including an ex-smoker Governor with an agenda) telling me what to do. If I'm sitting on a hotel balcony with the door shut, no one is affected, and with so many Japanese tourists smokers, I think you just killed your tourism industry. I for one, will not be back and instead will go to Mexican resorts.

You say, "If I'm sitting on a hotel balcony with the door shut, no one is affected". I am not sure about the Hawaii law; but in most places the bans are indoor bans. And, as you know, most smokers smoked inside the rooms. The next people who come to sleep in that room may be allergic to smoke and certainly wish not to smell someone else's cigarette stink?? Thats why there are bans everywhere now.

[playntravel4fun]

Smokers are addicted addicts. Thats not name calling, thats telling the truth. Its a dirty little truth that society is afraid to mention as it upsets those who smoke. Smoking isn't Kool at all and it should be told. Why would anyone, even the smokers, want our children to pick up that nasty, stinking, expensive, unhealthy addiction?

[MRab2]

playntravel4fun wrote:

<quoted text> The anger of smokers is directed at the wrong people.......... They should be angry at RJ Reynolds Tobbaco Co.......... It is those types of companies who have tricked smokers into slavery for their own corporate profits. Smoking is a sickness, smokers should seek help.

Yet ANOTHER post from you that utterly fails to address anything that was in the post you were replying to. Have you always had this much trouble sticking on topic?

[your neighbor]

Pat wrote:

Definitely Mexico for me too and we always spend upwards of $8,000. I'll never go to Hawaii again, since I'm a smoker and all my family are smokers and we are in perfect health. A place like this with laws like this is tyrannical. I hope the tourism industry continues it's decline. I wish all the above restaurants and bars could sue the health people that took their business away from them.

Pat you know you never been more than 40 miles from home. Quit trying to put on the dog and sound like a big shot.

[There is hope]

Lawmakers and tobacco companies are working to resolve this "ridiculous" law.
They are reaching an agreement by devloping a product to contain the smoke to prevent others from receiving second hand variants of it.
http://www.adamsfire.com/respiratory/Masks/Pa... is an example. A (CO) cartridge is inserted into the device to provide smokers with the same sensations and feelings of smoking affecting nearby bystanders. It's odorless, colorless and contains the same ingredients used in todays major brand tobacco companies.
Another proposal is placing brighter signs warning people of the risks of second hand smoke should they wish to enter. A beach where smoking is highly welcomed would display this sign.
http://home.hawaii.rr.com/darkflame/smokingbe...
Worry not smokers, there is hope!