A recent study by USA Today and the American Automobile Association (AAA) found that more than 12,900 hotels and motels are now completely smoke-free. That’s up by more than 4,600 in 2008. Many of the hotels are choosing to be smoke-free voluntarily, while others are pressured by state and local laws.
While the number of places to smoke is decreasing, the percent of smokers in the U.S. has not declined since 2005. About one in every five adults smokes, reports the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. That is approximately 46.6 million people. About 88 million people were exposed to second-hand smoke between 2007-2008.
The CDCP has made banning smoking in public places a high priority for the last several years. According to a survey of smokers, over half feel that the new regulations are unfair. Several states also have similar laws in bars, banning smoking.
Some hotels still have smoking sections on the edges of the property, while other smokers are forced to walk completely off the property. However, almost 13,000 hotels have banned smoking completely, even on the outskirts of the property. It is unclear if this also includes the new electronic cigarettes fad, as these products produce no second-hand smoke.
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