Smoking on a dive boat

[peterbj7]

I wouldn't use a dive boat where people smoked.

 

[h2ogypsy]

I been on two dive boats in the Ft. Lauderdale, FL area and one in the Key West. People seemed to be smoking on all three boats. Note that they were at the furthest point at the back of the boat where nobody could possibly smell their smoke (the boat was always moving). I find the smoke Nazi group to be a little obnoxious and selfish. God knows they all have some habit that bothers others. The exhaust from their car on a busy street is likely A LOT worse for you than the tiny bit of second hand smoke you get. Fear the nanny state!!! Vote with your dollars if it bothers you. These operations seemed to be really busy and nobody seemed to care as they were not actually affected except in their head as they couldn't believe someone was smoking even though they couldn't possibly smell it.

Note that I'm sure people were allowed to smoke may have been due to the fact that the DMs were smoking too.

Obnoxious and selfish, hunh? No I see your point, I think. I want to be healthy. I don't want my son and my family to bury me early because of a deadly cancer that has invaded my body because of second-hand smoke or because my dive buddy is pre-disposed to DCS or other illness because of his/her unhealthy habits and he/she puts me at risk of having to do a life-saving dive instead of a coral-adventure.

Maybe you are right; I should just allow folks that CHOOSE to do what we proved along time ago was DEADLY to themselves and to others to infiltrate my body and the bodies of my fellow divers because......wait; this is where I am stumped. Why should we do that again? Refresh my memory. Oh, wait; you said we couldn't possibly be affected by it. Hmmmm. I guess we are just a clan of folks that don't know each other; don't even share the same dive-lives and we are just automatically liars about how it affects us.

Listen Doc, I would love your medical data on just how much second-hand smoke it takes "to be affected by it" and over what period of time. Some of us dive for many years and for many days/hours a week. How many times is it okay for us to be exposed to this (if even for just a second)? I have a non-smoking Uncle in Europe that is going through chemo right now of his throat who has never smoked a day in his life or even socialized with smokers---and he has a second-hand smoke cancer. I am sure he would love to share how he feels right now with you if he could still talk....or would that be too obnoxious and selfish of him?

Anyway, just a healthy debate. I do wish you happy and safe diving and I am not meaning to be disrespectful to you or anyone else. We all have our right to our life and the things that make us happy.

Cheers!

 

[gcarter]

I have a non-smoking Uncle in Europe that is going through chemo right now of his throat who has never smoked a day in his life or even socialized with smokers---and he has a second-hand smoke cancer.

First, best wishes to your uncle, hope he manages to beat this - I would not wish cancer on anyone. I do not understand, though, how you can state with conviction that this is a second-hand smoke cancer. Cancer results from a combination of genetic and environmental factors, and although certain types of cancer may be correlated with smoking or with second hand smoke, causation is more difficult to ascertain. To suggest that because this type of cancer has a correlation with second hand smoke means that his has been caused by second hand smoke is a stretch at best - particularly since you state that he has never smoked and does not socialize with smokers.

 

[fnfalman]

I'm a non-smoker but practically every boat trip that I go on (at least twice a month), there's at least a few smokers; divers and boat crews, lighting them up.

Don't bother me none but then my panties don't get into a wad that easily either.

As far as the comments of those people talking about SAC rate and all that jazz...I presume that you people are of Olympian caliber athletes?

More dives and less whines.

 

[h2ogypsy]

First, best wishes to your uncle, hope he manages to beat this - I would not wish cancer on anyone. I do not understand, though, how you can state with conviction that this is a second-hand smoke cancer. Cancer results from a combination of genetic and environmental factors, and although certain types of cancer may be correlated with smoking or with second hand smoke, causation is more difficult to ascertain. To suggest that because this type of cancer has a correlation with second hand smoke means that his has been caused by second hand smoke is a stretch at best - particularly since you state that he has never smoked and does not socialize with smokers.

Thanks.
Yea, I am only quoting what the Doctors have told him. I really don't know too much about how all of it manifests or why. My ex-husband who was a smoker and a dipper was treated for the exact same cancer (and beat it somehow after many years). Go figure! I was really ranting because I am sleep-deprived right now lol! But seriously, the whole smoking issue makes unnecessary enemies when it can all be figured out by sharing our living space with one another.
happy diving!

 

[Latitude 59]

Problem of smoking on dive boats could be resolved permanently if divers would reserve Nicotine fills in advance instead of Nitrox!

 

[TMHeimer]

Being exposed to a lot of smoke was one of my big worries in booking my first Red Sea charter, because we only took half the spots. We were lucky that the other folks on the boat were non-smokers.

I have never encountered any smoking on dive boats on the Pacific Coast, thank goodness.I personally view smoking much as I view any other behavior that people do that impacts my ability to enjoy my own space. I don't play loud music in an apartment building, or park so I take up two spaces, or cut into lines, or run up to the last minute and then insist on merging . . . Those are all annoying things that people do to other people, and smoking in enclosed areas or upwind of others is another one. My mother was one of those smokers who would get completely bent out of shape if you just asked to change sides of the picnic table with her, and that undoubtedly helped shape my attitude.

Lynne, Nor have I ever encountered anyone either way in Nova Scotia. Or for the most part, the US East Coast and Gulf of Mexico. So, as a respected ER Doctor, your saying these anti smokers are basically just obnoxious? Only a matter of "enjoying your own space"? What planet are you from? And I AGREE with you! How do we EVER stop this-- avoid forest fires?

---------- Post added March 30th, 2013 at 05:08 AM ----------

Obnoxious and selfish, hunh? No I see your point, I think. I want to be healthy. I don't want my son and my family to bury me early because of a deadly cancer that has invaded my body because of second-hand smoke or because my dive buddy is pre-disposed to DCS or other illness because of his/her unhealthy habits and he/she puts me at risk of having to do a life-saving dive instead of a coral-adventure.

Maybe you are right; I should just allow folks that CHOOSE to do what we proved along time ago was DEADLY to themselves and to others to infiltrate my body and the bodies of my fellow divers because......wait; this is where I am stumped. Why should we do that again? Refresh my memory. Oh, wait; you said we couldn't possibly be affected by it. Hmmmm. I guess we are just a clan of folks that don't know each other; don't even share the same dive-lives and we are just automatically liars about how it affects us.

Listen Doc, I would love your medical data on just how much second-hand smoke it takes "to be affected by it" and over what period of time. Some of us dive for many years and for many days/hours a week. How many times is it okay for us to be exposed to this (if even for just a second)? I have a non-smoking Uncle in Europe that is going through chemo right now of his throat who has never smoked a day in his life or even socialized with smokers---and he has a second-hand smoke cancer. I am sure he would love to share how he feels right now with you if he could still talk....or would that be too obnoxious and selfish of him?

Anyway, just a healthy debate. I do wish you happy and safe diving and I am not meaning to be disrespectful to you or anyone else. We all have our right to our life and the things that make us happy.

Cheers!

Second Hand smoke on a f+king boat? You serious? (but this was discussed months ago, of course).

---------- Post added March 30th, 2013 at 05:12 AM ----------

I wouldn't use a dive boat where people smoked.

This is a good choice and you may quite possibly find me on said boat.

---------- Post added March 30th, 2013 at 05:17 AM ----------

Smoke bothers me but us self righteous North Americans bother me more. Europeans aren't being rude when they smoke near us Americans and Canadians - they just don't think anything of it. Deal with it people. We probably offend them by being fat.[/QUOTE

It's not Euros vs. Canucks & Yanks. It's a stupid obsession-- like seat belts-- see New Hampshire!

---------- Post added March 30th, 2013 at 05:21 AM ----------

I like when they say the designated smoking area is hanging off the life preserver on the tag line 100 ft behind from the boat...

I don't smoke my pipe on board ever these days, but Politely, screw you-- so I don't get censored.

---------- Post added March 30th, 2013 at 05:32 AM ----------

The comments so far further confirm how many of us see the world from the map where US and Canada are in the center.

Now that SCUBABoard has lifted the spell-check prohibition against using the word "Nazi", I would venture that stating that one is an "avid non-smoker" is a pleasant way to say that you might be a Smoke Nazi. Some people have real actual problems when exposed to it, a few just panic when they simply see it happening. There are some people in between, but in every group there will be a representative from each.

Behaviors that has been described so far should not be tolerated. I agree, I have no use for smoking on a boat unless there is no impact and confined to the aft decks while underway. If somebody want to stand downwind over diesel exhaust and have one, they should feel free.

But at the same time, y'all might want to avoid dive trips along with anyone from the European continent. It can get pretty smoky with divers from about Belgium on over to Russia~ and these people tend to show up in the darndest places.

I once was about to do a backroll with an unlit cigar in my maw. I mean, we SCUBA divers are all biased towards oral fixation. I want to state for the record, that I do not have a pink snorkel. (see my sig line)

Downwind (what is that scientifically?) over diesel exhaust and have one and feel free? Heresy! And again, North American comments on subject that was discussed to death 6 months ago?

---------- Post added March 30th, 2013 at 05:57 AM ----------

I'm SORRY. I get so friggin' upset over this. I don't even smoke my pipe (which I do THREE times daily) when in a casino in Biloxi where it is permitted! I smoke it outside, though I ADMIT near the doors of the IP. No one seems to care-- maybe we should address this? Anybody dived near Biloxi? I stopped smoking indoors for good in about 1989 when I lit up my pipe in a lounge and cigarette smokers gave me a dirty look. F***! I want SERIOUS data that says smoking at the back of a boat causes cancer or other serious problems for those on board. I just don't believe it.

 

[Tigerman]

...
I'm SORRY. I get so friggin' upset over this. I don't even smoke my pipe (which I do THREE times daily) when in a casino in Biloxi where it is permitted! I smoke it outside, though I ADMIT near the doors of the IP. No one seems to care-- maybe we should address this? Anybody dived near Biloxi? I stopped smoking indoors for good in about 1989 when I lit up my pipe in a lounge and cigarette smokers gave me a dirty look. F***! I want SERIOUS data that says smoking at the back of a boat causes cancer or other serious problems for those on board. I just don't believe it.

I bet the only one getting anything from you smoking at the back of the boat is yourself - and Im thinking more nox exposure from the dieselfumes

With regards to the whole "dont smoke your SAC goes to ****" argument I say BS! Ive seen both smokers and non-smokers with both better and worse SAC than me, and you wouldnt tell one from the other by looking at them..

 

[vincent54]

The National Cancer Institute issued it's position on second hand tobacco smoke, and states exposure to any amount of second hand smoke increases the risk of cancers. Secondhand Smoke and Cancer - National Cancer Institute
The duration and amount of exposure I am sure increases this risk.

With all the known health concerns, why expose others to an unnecessary risk. I am all for zero tobacco use. The cancers it causes are devastating to person and family.

 

[Doc]

Ban smoking and ban the obese..... both a danger to themselves and others, especially when diving. Or don't.... and mind your own business.

And don't forget us old people. (It's the smell, I am told)

So a newly formed group was waiting at the airport for the van to take us to the liveaboard. This is a common and crucial moment in any liveaboard trip. For the guys (or women with other predelicktions)... First, you get to see the women all dolled up (which will only occur again 7 days later), and Second: You get to form those ever important instant first impressions that will decide likely who you are going to see naked by Friday night (the traditional hook-up night on any vacation week). Women? What do they see? I have no idea and I have been trying to figure that out since the 1950's.

I was waiting with them, standing 50 feet downwind, and was puffing on the unused portion of a $12 cigar. The bus arrived, I wrapped it in a baggie and stuffed it in my carry on (sounds like carrion, doesn't it? But I digress). Oh Lordy, the bitching and moaning that began when I climbed into the van. I'm sure it was the cigar stink that my clothes had absorbed and not the stogie, but they were all semi-quasi-almost placated when I took the baggie outside and stuffed it under the rear license plate where it made the trip. At least they changed subject and concentrated on he next big thing: acquisition of enough booze to survive tight confinement with their traveling partner, locked in a stateroom on a bouncing cork.

It was during that air conditioned van ride (where we had to stop for a full 35 minutes at the liquor store so all the alcoholics could load up), that's when I really began to notice that "Lois" from Passaic NJ has filled her bathtub with Yardley English Lavender for her pre-trip dunk... and the guy "Phil" from San Bernadino had obviously enjoyed a late snack at Campos in LA and was farting like an old yellow dog. Mary was snoring. Walter was non-stop about everything including the prevalence of "minorities on this island", Don was lost in explaining to everybody why his CO detector was in his carry on.

By the end of the week, those who were going to dislike/like each other from the start were already ignoring/banging each other and we all pretty much smelled the same until Saturday morning when you really couldn't recognize anybody that you had been with for the entire week by odor or sight.

That red head looked familiar. :gorgeous: Always go for the smokers, my psychiatrist tells me that they're obviously orally fixated. (see my sig line).