From Reuters comes word of yet another slide down the slope to a New Prohibition. As predicted back when Westin became the first hotel chain to go smoke-free, another major chain has decided to close their doors to smokers.

The Marriott Corporation, whose properties include the Marriott and J.W. Marriott hotels, the Renaissance and Ritz-Carlton hotel chains, and Courtyard by Marriott, Residence Inns, Fairfield Inns, SpringHill Suites, and TownePlace Suites, has jumped on the anti-smoking bandwagon. Beginning in September, they will have a strict “no smoking” policy.

This isn’t just a smoking ban for hotel rooms, however.

This time it is a ban against smoking anywhere on the premises of any Marriott property. The total ban forbids smoking in bars, restaurants, meeting rooms and other public places in all Marriott hotels. Light up anywhere on their property, and they will fine you a minimum of U.S. $200.00.

Strangely enough, while smokers are now completely unwelcome at Marriott hotels and resorts, the chain appears to have no problems with opening their doors to terrorist groups and neo-nazis.

The strange story of…oh, let’s call it “Smoking and Nazis and Terrorists — Oh My!” unfolds after the jump.

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Westin Hotels and Resorts is going smoke-free next month and will add $200.00 to the bill of anyone who violates the policy, said Senior Vice President Sue Brush. Smoking indoors and poolside will be banned at all 77 of the chain’s properties in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean beginning January 1. After that date, smokers will have to go to a designated outdoor area, she said.

Eight Westin hotels were previously designated smoke-free, and at least 5 percent of the rooms at the others had been set aside for nonsmokers, Brush said. But market research found that 92 percent of Westin’s guests were requesting nonsmoking rooms, and some of those who couldn’t get them were “quite upset,” she said.

Brush said that customers will be advised about the anti-smoking policy at check-in. If a guest violates the rule — “when we can observe it by smelling it or whatever” — a $200.00 fee will be added to the bill.

Hang on folks, we’re just getting warmed up.

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