Hi train travel buddies. I've been on a work related trip the last 2 days. We stayed in a casino hotel and even though the rooms were all non-smoking now, the odor of stale cigarette smoke lingers somehwhere in the background even in this very nice hotel. The casino floor only had a small section that was non-smoking. All the rest of the place, including the "Bingo Palace" was a smoker's paradise... And this ex-smoker's reminder of many of the reasons I don't want to be a smoker, not the least of which is I don't want to be an (active) addict.

 

I realize I'll always be a nicotine addict and must conduct myself in accordance with the Law of Addiction (if you're unclear on that one, look for the Joel Spitzer video of the same name) to stay quit. It was sad to see so many people, most of whom were older ladies, chain smoking and knowing they "have to" smoke. The pervasive smoke also gave me a low-grade headache and made me feel a little queasy. There were a few moments during the course of the trip that I thought, "This is a time when I would have liked having a smoke." These moments didn't occur in the cloud of smoke in the casino. Most of the time there, the smoke was pretty disgusting but I didn't fixate on it much. I'm so glad to be free!

The warden & I ...... oops; I mean me & the wife, are going to Vegas Sunday for a few days just because we got a super deal on a flight/hotel package. I am also wondering what my reaction to being in heavy smoking areas will be. I suspect much the same as yours. This will also be my first long-haul flight experience since I quit smoking so there will be a lot of new experiences for me. Most of which will be pleasant I expect.

 

It's interesting our take on things as smokers then as non-smokers. I'm just glad I won't have to go into that smoking room in the Vegas Airport. I'm pretty sure I went in there a couple of times last time I was there and even as a smoker .... it was disgusting as I recall LOL :)

This will also be my first long-haul flight experience since I quit smoking so there will be a lot of new experiences for me. Most of which will be pleasant I expect

I'm thinking you're going to thoroughly enjoy your flight experience. I had an almost 1 year quit that I blew a few years ago and taking a long flight during that time as a non-smoker was the best flying experience I've ever had. No worries about where, when, how you're going to be able to smoke. Will there be time to have that last one before going through security? Is the long flight going to be agonizing? What if there's a terrible delay and I'll have to go even longer without smoking? You won't have to be concerned about any of that and when you arrive, you'll get right on to your destination- no lighting up the second you're out the door of the airport.

 

Have a great time!

Yes - looking forward to all of that and this one is a pretty long flight so the entire ordeal will be pretty much a whole day but no need for a smoke now!!

Yes - looking forward to all of that and this one is a pretty long flight so the entire ordeal will be pretty much a whole day but no need for a smoke now!!

horrifying but impactful

My first thought about casino/hotel is

"bet rep won't get laid"

You're probably right. That's OK though because it's been cold & rainy this summer where I am so laying by the pool in 100+ degree heat will be just what I need ;)

Oh travel is a wonderful thing when you don't smoke! It is so so so less stressful.

I am still greatly exciting by being at concerts and not smoking cigarettes anyway it still blows my mind.

I don't gamble but I am sure you will have a great time other than the smell LOL

Yup I went to las Vegas over a yr ago and I remember the smell. It was really a horrible position I out myself in and I know all too well the headache and just blah feeling being around it so much. The conference center was smoke free but people went to the bottom of the escalator to smoke so you could still tell it was there. And then after break you could smell them walking into the rooms.... Gross.