Hotel Pays Staff to Sniff Out Smoking Guests

Chicago's Swissotel turns its housekeepers into detectives

By Ambreen Ali, Newser User

Posted Feb 25, 2008 7:20 PM CST

(Newser) – That chocolate on your pillow may be a bit of a Judas kiss: Chicago's Swissotel isn't the first hotel to fine sneaky smokers who break its puff-free policy, but it is the nation's first to pay staff to sniff out offending guests, reports the Chicago Tribune. Spraying air freshener won't fool its housekeepers, who get a $10 reward per scofflaw. They, in turn, get slapped with a $250 fine.

Swissotel's hotel manager says guests are grateful for the crackdown, which has collared 22 lawbreakers and even pushed employees to quit smoking. The fine offsets the $400 cost of washing linens with oil soap and ionizing the room to free it of the smell, as well as keeping it vacant until the air clears. Swissotel is angling for green certification, too, which means its air needs to be top notch.

Swissotel is paying housekeepers to sniff out smokers, who cost the hotel $400 to clean up after them. (Getty Images)

Chicago's Swissotel is cracking down on smokers and paying housekeepers to be detectives and catch culprits. (Getty Images (by Event) Individuals)

Chicago's Swissotel is the nation's first to provide staff incentives for catching smokers. (Swissotel)

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Hotel Pays Staff to Sniff Out Smoking Guests

Chicago's Swissotel turns its housekeepers into detectives

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Smoking in Bhutan? Cops Can Raid Your Home

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Restaurant prohibitions seen to influence how youngsters see smoking: study

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Developing countries most at risk, can least afford measures

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Chicago • smoking • cigarettes • Marriott • smoking ban • hotel • Swissotel • fines • housekeeper

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

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More Newser Stories

Smoking in Bhutan? Cops Can Raid Your Home

New law is quite unpopular

Chicago Fines Aim to Kick Smokers' Butts From Beach

City buried in millions of tons of litter

Bans Keep Teens From Lighting Up

Restaurant prohibitions seen to influence how youngsters see smoking: study

'Actors' Beat Smoking Ban in Minn. Bars

Owners exploit loophole that lets thespians light up

WHO Pushes Governments to Battle Smoking

Developing countries most at risk, can least afford measures

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Newser By Users

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