Web Hosting by Netfirms | Free Domain Names by Netfirms

What Was The Precipitating Event?

Upon arriving at the Smokers' Hospitality room on July 4, 2002 I saw a sign that read: "The Smoking Room has been moved to the North Foyer Covered Balcony". And apparently that door was locked. So I went to said balcony, located at the other side of the building, with 4 tables each about 15 feet from the other, 4 ashtrays, a cooler of water with cups, and Scottsdale's 115 degrees. We were not allowed to take other drink, nor food out there. And no reason was given.

A great discussion ensued as more people gathered over the next couple of hours:

Jane Pitt of St. Louis requested her AG registration back, as a "Smokers' Hospitality Suite" had been advertised, provided, and taken away; she was told that she could request her money back, but that it probably wouldn't happen and that "none of the other smokers mind".

We received "permission" to bring other drinks out there.

More people gathered and more discussion ensued and songs of revolution were sung.

At one point, George Bobeck, Jr. of Chicago stated that, due to his health concerns, which are totally unrelated to his cigar smoking, he was going back in there, and that he would sit in the hall in front of the Smokers Hospitality Suite (a room with a cooler of water and cups) and smoke his cigar and they could arrest him if they wanted and let's go.

George, followed was closely by Maribeth, his wife, and then Duke of Phoenix, Brad McCabe of Memphis, Andy Pitt of St. Louis, and yours truly, Merrilee Tanner of St. Louis followed suit.

One of this group went ahead, walked through the unlocked rear door of the room and let the rest in. A few feet in front of the room, a man, who we later learned was head of AG security, was hurrying in after. I stopped him and asked why the room had been closed. I was told that there had been complaints about the odor.

I entered the room with the man and the five of the Six lit up smokes, and in the discussion that ensued, the man told us that

He had come into the building the previous evening and smelled smoke in the hall
The smokers had ruined the AG for everyone
They advertised a room (actually suite) and that there was room on the balcony

During the discussion, we pointed out that two days before, George Bobeck III had asked them to provide additional fans and devices with Hepa filters and that that had not been done.

Andy Pitt pointed out that a balcony outdoors in 115 degree heat is not a room.

I stated that I understood that some the teenagers had been smoking in the back hallway, which connects to the main Hospitality Suite and the kitchen and the meeting rooms, and could it have been that smoke which he smelled?

More discussion followed; some shouting occurred.

A couple of other people from the AG committee were sent in, we were "allowed" to stay, were told to keep the number of people actually smoking at one time to a minimum (I believe the number was 20), and were told that we had a dry erase board in the room. We were promised more fans and some Hepa filter machines (I believe that 2 or 3 such devices arrived a couple of days later), the group re-gathered in the room. We put bits of Duct Tape on our nametags and persons to show our solidarity.

We unofficially (at this point in time) formed the Sir Walter Raleigh Society SIG.

So to answer the question if smokers would be angry if no smoking room is provided: NO. But don't advertise it, provide it, and in a capricious and arbitrary manner take it away. And don't attempt to treat any group as errant children. Smokers and friends of smokers today, what group tomorrow? drinkers, chocolate eaters, etc.etc.etc.????

M. Tanner

Site Map