Originally Posted by KevAZ
Balconies are stacked, and the smoke goes straight up to the room above it, and sometimes to the rooms beside it. Having a smoking area out in a courtyard or common area where rooms are not directly above it is reasonable for all parties. The point being is that Marriott advertises "smoke free rooms" and does mention "common areas" for smoking. Balconies are an extension of a room and are not common areas.
I hope and expect people to engage legal support to stop balcony smoking in the Marriott chain.
Does it go straight up if there is a wind? How is "directly" above defined? Straight up but more than one floor level? Also, I think your argument that the balcony is an extension of the room is intuitive, but is there any definitive definition of it?
I don't smoke. But I wouldn't expect any action, and wouldn't support any further restriction.