Cruises become a smoke-free zone

First it was pubs and now it is cruise liners. P&O has taken Britain's quest to be a smoke-free zone a step forward this week by announcing that its ships will not permit passengers to indulge in this habit in public areas.

As of October, three of the ferry firm's ships will be smoke-free. Two of these - Oceana and Ventura - are family-friendly liners while the Artemis is an adult-only ship.

However, so as not to utterly discriminate against those who wish to engage in this perfectly legal activity, passengers will be able to smoke on their cabin balconies.

P&O Cruises managing director Nigel Esdale explained that the decision to go smoke-free was in-keeping with other legislation coming into force in the UK.

"Since Britain went smoke-free in July 2007 the British public has become accustomed to being in a smoke-free environment, with 76 per cent of the general public supporting the ban," he said.

"We hope that becoming smoke-free will give all our passengers, especially children, a cleaner and more pleasant environment in which [to] enjoy their holiday on board."

He added the move coincides with P&O's launch of a series of spa and fitness facilities on its boats, which it hopes will promote a "fun and healthy" holiday ethos to its passengers.

The decision has been met with mixed reactions by readers of Cruise.co.uk.

Peter from Padbury says on the site: "As a non-smoker, I would like to make the point that smokers should be able to smoke in their own cabins, should have designated inside areas to smoke as well as outside areas, should be left in peace to enjoy their habit, which is not against the law."

However, greatorex from Berkhamsted argued that passengers should have to observe the UK's normal laws on smoking in bars and restaurants while on board.

"As far as I am aware, in the UK smokers are entitled to smoke outside restaurants and pub gardens so why are so many of P&O passengers thinking they are above the law of the land trying to stop smokers going outside on their balconies to smoke?" said the website's reader.

The smoking ban in pubs and clubs came into effect on July 1st 2007 and made it illegal to engage in this activity in public enclosed places.

England's move to go smoke-free followed Ireland's earlier decision to do so, which had proved successful.

Under the new regulations, those who wish to smoke must go outside the pub, restaurant or club they are in to do so.

According to the NHS, 70 per cent of adults believe that the ban will have a positive effect on people's health.

The main reason those surveyed cited for this was that people will no longer be subject to passive smoking, which can be harmful to their health.