Comfort Suites to go Smoke Free

The decision adds another 433 U.S. hotels to the ever-growing ranks of FreshStay.com's directory of

. October 14, 2008

APRIL 24, 2007. The decision by Choice Hotels International(R) to go smoke-free at all 433 domestic Comfort Suites(R) hotels highlights the growing trend - and importance - of providing healthy, smoke-free environments for hotel guests everywhere.

'The extensive survey research we conducted with Comfort Suites' guests and our franchisees strongly indicated that going smoke-free was the right decision for our brand,' says Janna Morrison, division president of Choice Hotels(R). 'More and more information is becoming available on the hazards of second-hand smoke - that information is undoubtedly influencing where our guests stay.'

With its 433 domestic Comfort Suites hotels, Choice Hotels marks the second largest smoke-free commitment from a hotel chain in the U.S., behind only Marriott's 2,300 properties comprising 400,000 guestrooms in the United States and Canada that went smoke-free last summer. Westin-brand properties rank third, with 77 hotels in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean that went smoke free in January 2006.

Now That's Refreshing

When Comfort Suites' smoke-free policy goes into effect May 1, the move will certainly bulk up the ever-growing ranks of FreshStay(R) (www.FreshStay.com), an online directory of smoke-free lodging facilities worldwide.

'The number of completely smoke-free hotels in the United States grew more than 2,700 percent in 2006, and with Choice Hotels' Comfort Suites brand coming into the fold, we're already off to a great start for 2007,' says Ray Burger, president of Pineapple Hospitality, which founded FreshStayTM. 'Studies show that at least four out of five hotel guests prefer to stay in a smoke-free environment. It's encouraging that the number of smoke-free hotels continues to grow,' Burger adds.

With Comfort Suites' 34,000 soon-to-be-smoke-free guestrooms, nearly 10 percent of the United States' 53,000 hotels will have gone 100% non-smoking in answer to guests' demands for cleaner, fresher stays and healthier accommodations.

'With the leadership and success of companies the caliber of Marriott, Choice Hotels and Westin paving the way, we're sure to see more and more hotel managers realize the smoke-free movement is not just a fad. It's a trend that is part of doing business today,' Burger adds.

Fresh Testimonials

Even before the policy change was announced, 10 percent of Comfort Suites hotels already were smoke-free. The owners of those Comfort Suites hotels report being positively affected by their smoke-free switch.

Choice Hotels says the smoke-free move was customer-driven. Eliminating smoking rooms also accelerates the registration and check-in process, and cuts down on cleaning time and costs.

'Since going smoke free, I've been pleasantly surprised. Not only have my regular smoking guests remained loyal, but for every potential smoking customer that chooses another hotel, we gain two non-smoking customers,' says Adam Gough, general manager of the Comfort Suites Davis in Davis, Calif.

Healthy Decision

In response to Comfort Suites' decision, John R. Seffrin, Ph.D., chief executive officer of the American Cancer Society, applauds the growing movement to smoke-free hotels.

'The decision to make Choice Hotels' Comfort Suites 100-percent smoke-free will remove a major threat to the health of all Comfort Suites' guests and workers,' Dr. Seffrin says. 'In the United States alone, secondhand smoke is estimated to cause 35,000 to 45,000 deaths from heart disease and 3,000 deaths from lung cancer among nonsmokers each year. Former U.S. Surgeon General Richard Carmona said it himself last June: There is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke.'

Given what we know about the dangers of secondhand smoke, Choice Hotels has made 'a socially responsible decision in the best interests of its franchisees and their guests' at its 433 Comfort Suites hotels in the United States, Dr. Seffrin adds.

With an estimated 70 percent of the public - smokers and non-smokers alike - favoring smoke-free facilities, Choice Hotels new policy makes good business sense as well. Smoke-free policies have been shown to increase tourism in cities such as Los Angeles and New York City, Dr. Seffrin added. The top 10 travel destinations in the United States all have enacted smoke-free laws.

'Corporate smoke-free policies are gaining popularity,' Dr. Seffrin says. 'Comfort Suites' new smoke-free policy follows the adoption of similar policies by Disney Resorts, Marriott and Westin Hotels in 2006. We hope the example set by these and other companies will encourage additional businesses to follow suit.'

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