RE: Norwescon Plans

Norwescon used to have separate smoking hospitality.. (I think that came from some of concom being smokers. That may have changed)

Not that this has much to do with filking (unless Leslie Fish is there) but...

<engage soapbox mode>
Back when I was a smoker, I've repeatedly demonstrated at several local cons (even one Westercon) that it's possible to have indoor smoking hospitality that does not fill halls with smoke. Only a few things are required

1. room(s) with openable windows or sliding glass door.
2. box fan(s) and (if needed) extension cords
3. duct tape, and cardboard.

 You set the fans to blow air OUT the window/door, and use the duct-tape and cardboard to make it 'air tight' so no air can come back in that way. Unless the hotel's HVAC system is massively unbalanced, this results in airflow that comes in via the hallway doors, through the room, and out to the outside. Add a few large 'ashtrays' filled with lots of baking soda, and you are set to go.

 The room temp stays reasonable (since 'fresh air' comes from inside the hotel and is already heated/cooled to a nice temp). The room does not get smoke filled, even with a lot of people smoking. You can stand in the doorway with a lit cigarette and the smoke goes into the room, NOT go into the hallway.

It's dirt simple and I don't know why more cons don't do it.

And frankly, even now that I don't smoke, I'd prefer cons to use this approach. It's better for everyone, as it gives the smokers a nice indoor place to smoke and the rest of us do not have to 'run the gauntlet' of smokers clustered outside every entrance to the hotel!!!!

  <end soapbox mode>

 (p.s. Feel free to pass this simple advice/method along to whoever is doing hospitality at local cons)

-----Original Message-----
From: Me [mailto:eleri at aracnet.com]
Sent: Wednesday, December 09, 1998 9:52 AM To: filk at dragoncat.net
Subject: Re: Norwescon Plans

At 10:01 PM 12/8/98 -0800, you wrote:
>
>
>Jeffrey Hitchin wrote:
>
>> <snip>
>>
>> As far as I remember from Norwes, there was no smoking allowed
>> except outside or in designated smoking guest rooms. I've never seen
>> anybody smoke in Hospitality the years I've been going there.
>
>With any luck, Orycon will take a clue from that. The smoke in the hallway
outside Hospitality
>Friday night was thick enough to give a friend of mine an asthma attack.
Ick.
>

Either that or they put the smoking room down at the end of the hall, so people don't have to walk past it. And if smokers would like a beer or munchies, they'll have to do it in between fumigating. Received on 12/09/98