Marriott International Inc. announced that it will ban smoking from all of the rooms and public spaces in its 10 brands of U.S. hotels, the Wall Street Journal reported on July 19.

Fewer than 10 percent of Marriott rooms currently allow smoking, but customers still complain of the smell of smoke.

Marriott hopes the changes, set to begin in September, will improve customer satisfaction and loyalty, providing a competitive edge over other major hotel chains.

To avoid alienating customers who smoke, Marriott will provide designated smoking areas, but in locations well-removed from hotel entrances.

There is no risk-free exposure level to secondhand smoke, according to a report recently released by the U.S. Surgeon General.