Smoking STJ

MrsCARolph · Post by **MrsCARolph** » Sun Mar 25, 2007 11:13 am

I know it's unpopular and not very PC to be a smoker these days, but I still haven't kicked the habit.

That being said, what would a pack of smokes cost me down there?

Also, is there any etiquette I should know before lighting up? In the Twin Cities, for example, it's illegal to smoke indoors in public and in some cities you must stand 50 feet away from the entrance to a building. (We smokers are social outcasts these days) Any laws like that on STJ?

Thanks for the help.

mrsb · Post by **mrsb** » Sun Mar 25, 2007 11:21 am

As my husband and I are former outcasts, we found St John to be very liberal with smoking. Since most bars are open air I'd think you could smoke freely. We only sat at two bars and smoked at both-Quiet Mon and Aqua Bistro. A carton costs about $17.00 (half the price we pay here in PA)

If you want to quit, PM me and I can send you info on how we did. I don't know if it's allowed that I just say what we did on the board. My husband smoked for a really long time. We still get antsy now and then since it is recently that we quit but we are saving lots of money and so far so good

flip-flop · Post by **flip-flop** » Sun Mar 25, 2007 4:33 pm

I'd say let common sense prevail. If you plunk down next to me on the beach and light up I am gonna be annoyed, but if you are there smoking I'll find a spot out of the range of the smoke. First come, first breathe.

I think most people expect smoke in bars but not necessarily when eating their dinner. Just be considerate of those around you and I don't think you'll have any trouble.

liamsaunt · Post by **liamsaunt** » Sun Mar 25, 2007 5:20 pm

Cigarettes will be cheaper on STJ than at home. I don't know the exact costs because I don't smoke. I don't recall ashtrays at many restaurants, but I do remember seeing them at open air places like the beach bar, quiet mon, panini beach, Miss Lucy's, etc.

Personal vent (not directed at you, MrsCaRolph!!): if anyone wants to smoke, please don't leave your butts on the beach. I can't stand that. I don't know why people think it's OK to just flick their cigarette butts onto the sand. It's just as bad a form of littering as the person who throws a paper out the window of their car.

pswlrw · Post by **pswlrw** » Sun Mar 25, 2007 5:36 pm

I am a smoker and you can smoke in pretty much any bar in St. John. I don't smoke in restaurants, even if it is allowed. I think the only one we were at were you could smoke at the table was Panini, but I went up to the little bar and smoked there and had a lovely chat with the owner.

I absolutely agree about leaving cigarette butts behind on the beach - it is littering! I pack ziploc bags and bring one to the beach so I can pick up my "trash".

You might also want to check wherever you are staying. I would only smoke in outside areas of a villa (verandahs, pool decks, etc.), but you want to make sure of the rules. There are few that don't allow it anywhere.

As to smoking on the beach (or other very open air places) I like to think I am a considerate smoker so I generally try to be aware of how my smoke might affect anyone nearby.

MrsCARolph · Post by **MrsCARolph** » Sun Mar 25, 2007 7:10 pm

Thanks for the advice. Of course I am already in the habit of disposing of butts properly, so that won't be a problem.

I appreciate your help! I would hate to be that tacky tourist offending locals without even knowing it. Just trying to stay educated...

chicagoans · Post by **chicagoans** » Sun Mar 25, 2007 7:24 pm

Thank you for being considerate smokers and picking up the butts etc. I'll voice some additional requests as a non-smoker if that's OK:

If you smoke while walking on a trail, please be aware that anyone on the trail behind you may get caught in your smoke, so maybe you can pause and let them pass. Happened to us a few times on the Pipiwai Trail on Maui until we finally managed to get around the smokers. This can wreck a beautiful hike! I'm sort of anal about not wanting second hand smoke in my kids' lungs, so they had to take deep breaths and then we jogged around.

If you're smoking out on your deck or patio, be aware that depending on the wind and proximity to other villas, you may be sharing your smoke with other people.

When it's humid, it seems like smoke takes longer to dissipate, so it may linger longer than you think it will. Also, it seems that some smokers (not all) don't realize how much non-smokers can smell and be affected by smoke. So I really appreciate that you're asking the questions about etiquette!
Not all people are as polite.

mia · Post by **mia** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 12:13 am

Hey,
Is it okay for me to put my cigarette butt in the empty beer can I found on the beach?

Just because I picked up a nasty habit and addiction many, many years ago in college....I am not a moron.
It seems to me that the polite thing to do would be to refrain from lecturing smokers regarding common sense conduct.

Xislandgirl · Post by **Xislandgirl** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 7:40 am

I have to agree with Mia. I know that my habit is a bad one but I am an educated adult that does not need to be told how to considerate of other people.

There are people that have no concern for any one else around them. Some smoke, most do not.

sailorgirl · Post by **sailorgirl** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 8:04 am

This thread illustrates how highly charged the debate between smokers and non smokers remains. IMHO it boils down to respect...from both sides. Full disclosure, I am a non smoker, don't like it, don't like it around me, but I know that I live in a larger world. I try, as Im sure many non smokers do, to be polite when I approach a smoker when I feel their right to smoke runs into my right not to, but have in the past been met with less than polite responses. Im not a fan of smoke wafting across the beach as Im trying to enjoy "the zen like" experience of a St. John beach. But that's the thing about smoking, each exhale potentially exposes someone to smoke who would rather not inhale it. Its tricky to be sure, and its not made any easier by a government which takes an "morally" inconsistent position on smoking...passing many rules about where one can smoke, while gladly accepting the tax it levies on each pack.
But I rant long enough... Can't we just all get along

Maggy · Post by **Maggy** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 8:20 am

Found this about smoking in the BVIs: I know it's not STJ, but at least very close.

http://bvibeacon.com/main/index.php?opt ... &Itemid=26

Pete (Mr. Marcia) · Post by **Pete (Mr. Marcia)** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 9:07 am

While we're at it, can we outlaw little kids? Nothing ruins a quiet day at the beach quite like a group of kids splashing around in the water, yelling to mom and dad to "watch me." Oh, and overweight people...they need to go, too. I really shouldn't have to look at that. And, don't even get me started on cell phones....

mrsb · Post by **mrsb** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 9:34 am

DELETED · Post by **DELETED** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 11:26 am

DELETED

promoguy · Post by **promoguy** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 11:41 am

How about the non smokers who think it is cool to smoke a cigar?

Mia, you can always blow smoke in my face. I'm an ex smoker and kinda still enjoy the smell.

usvi-on-line

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Smoking STJ

Smoking STJ