Press Release

Proud to be the First NON-SMOKING Golf Resort in the Poconos

Shawnee on Delaware, Pennsylvania - Just last week, The Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort announced that it had made several changes to its management team in order to pursue a new vision (Rob Howell - General Manager, Jon Kirkwood - Director of Strategic Planning, Sharon Fish - Sales Director, Dave Timko - Outdoor Recreation Manager and Mónica Startari - Marketing Director). This vision places a strong emphasis on three key characteristics of the resort: golf, history and environment. Now, with a direct focus on the environment, Shawnee is very proud to announce its second major change in as many weeks.

The Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort has officially become Smoke Free. What exactly does this mean? First, this means that all sleeping rooms at the Resort have become non-smoking. The third floor of the Inn is where most of the smoking rooms currently exist, but since November 2006, these rooms have all become smoke-free. The Inn's staff will use special ionizing machines to clear the rooms of any remaining smoke particles in the air. This also means that all public areas inside the Inn have become smoke-free. These areas include the lobby, lounge, meeting rooms, banquet rooms, and Charlie's Place Restaurant and Bar. Despite this exciting change, the Shawnee Inn continues to welcome guests who smoke, but simply requests that they do so only on the south side of the Veranda off the main level (to the right as you exit the front doors of the Inn). A $250.00 fine will be assessed to any guest that smokes in their guest room or in the Inn on a per night, per person basis. This decision to rid the Inn of smoke was a tough one to make, but was ultimately made with the goal of creating a more eco-friendly environment. It protects not only the smokers, but also shields our loyal guests and employees from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke.

To complement this new smoke-free policy, the Shawnee Inn has also developed an employee "Smoking Cessation Program". This seven-week course is run through the Monroe Branch of the Penn State Cooperative Extension and is being put in place to encourage employees who desire to quit smoking. On top of a healthier lifestyle, all employees who participate in the program will receive many great incentives to help them reach their goal. Smoking cigarettes is a voluntary decision and employees who are smokers at the resort are still allowed two smoke breaks per eight-hour shift. With this movement toward a healthier environment, the Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort is hopeful that PA will soon join the several other smoke-free states in the U.S. In the meantime, the resort will remain committed to positively affecting the lives and habits of its guests, employees and all others who wish to enjoy the new Shawnee vision and experience.

For more information on the non-smoking changes call 800.SHAWNEE x1405 to interview Rob Howell, GM.