Meet Norbert Vas, an Austrian ex-smoker and the man behind the non-smoking hotels in Jakarta.
14 years, in 2000, I moved to my first job here; it was with the Shangri-La Hotel Surabaya. I was born and raised in Vienna, Austria, but have lived more than half my life abroad.
What is your history with smoking?
I guess my story is pretty average and usual; as a child, I started trying cigarettes from my mother when she was not there, I do not know why. Maybe I was adventurous and the fact that it was forbidden published attractive. At 16, the legal smoking age in Austria, I bought my first pack and since then have smoked at least a pack a day for 29 years. I loved it from the start, perhaps the first cigarettes had a bad taste, but as far as I remember I liked it right away.
What you quit smoking? How did you do?
There are many reasons, but what got the ball rolling was when my best friend gave me the book Allen Carr Stop smoking now. I read it in two days and it has done wonders for me to quit smoking not only easy, but very enjoyable.
Do you turn to other vices to take your mind off the stress of quitting smoking?
I quit cold turkey. At the same time, I started going to the gym religiously and I think it would have helped .
Have you ever felt the urge to regress to smoke?
No, not at all. I feel now that it was stupid and I'm just stupid. I can not understand how I never fell for it. It's like the 70s fashion; we thought we looked so cool with our bell pants and long hair and now when I look at old photos of that time I just laugh and am a little embarrassed to have never looked like this.
How your family and they have friends reacted to your smoking and your quit
My mother, father and brothers are all smoking - they are jealous, but happy for me. My wife, my friends and colleagues are all dedicated non-smoking and they applaud my success.
Are there any changes you have felt since the abandonment; physiologically or otherwise?
Many. Firstly there is the feeling of freedom that defines as you never have to worry about having enough cigarettes at home or having to find a smoking corner somewhere in an airport after a long flight. Then your mood lights, and after a few weeks you start to feel more energetic. Looks-wise also improves; better skin tone, teeth whiter, cleaner and stronger nails - changes come slowly but are noticeable
What do you think of living in a country with one of the highest number of smokers?
Unfortunately, as many ex-smokers, I have become very sensitive to smoke. I can not explain why, but to me it stinks so bad and makes me nauseous. I also think it is very sad that the poorest and least educated are the most likely to fall into the trap and become slaves of tobacco companies that make a fortune by killing people.
How Jakarta smoking different culture to those in Austria and your other offerings?
I also think smokers tend to be more attentive and discreet. Here in Indonesia and nobody cares on when and where. Being a hotelier, I can attest that the amount of damage left by smokers in our hotels here is about four times what I experienced in the West.
You are vice president of the International archipelago which manages many hotels like Aston, NEO, Fave and others. How did you get to this position?
I met the founder of the company a few years ago when we were still very young and was immediately convinced that this business will be a huge success considering the approach, creativity and value together, so I joined enthusiastically, leaving a career with major global players such as Mandarin Oriental and Intercontinental behind me and never looked back. We now operate 75 hotels, all of which are successful and have more than 100 come.
Is it true that the NEO Hotel in Jakarta is 100% smoke-free? Do not worry hotels that do not use this competing policy?
Yes. Our newest baby, Hotel NEO, which already operates eight branches and 20 more in the pipeline, is the first 100% non -Smoking hotel chain in Indonesia. It is simply economic logic; of course, there are travelers who disapprove and then go elsewhere, but the group of people who choose NEO because of its non-smoking policy is bigger and is also growing rapidly while smokers are a race disappears soon little. image and brand personality of the hotel is simply NEO oriented hipper, trendy people, more active and successful; and let's be honest - no offense -. smoking is a thing of the past and while it was once considered stylish and fashionable, it is now more commonly associated with the lower classes and business people who are less successful
What do you think of the trend of the current spray
We must understand that smoking has nothing to do with pleasure, taste or relaxation ?; it is simply addicted to the substance, nothing else. I saw sprays that deliver flavor, but are completely free nicotine in that case, why not? But I do not think they are here to stay and will be a success because the reason people smoke, but they do not realize it is the little nicotine monster living inside asking to be fed.
Do you have any messages for those trying to quit smoking?
The reading book Allen Carr, watch yourself and your thoughts and realize how much you are actually lying to yourself when you say things like "I like the taste" or "It relaxes me" Just come to terms with the fact that you have a substance addiction but do not be embarrassed or defensive;. it's not your fault millions have fallen into the trap laid by. Big tobacco marketing and fight with angry Tell the tobacco industry that you are not easily handled and learn to see and appreciate the withdrawal symptoms for what they are made -.. the first steps freedom