Ban smoking at the MK?

[Tramp68]

Let's be civil to smokers. Smokers are civil to nonsmokers "99.9%" of the time.

I want to live in your world. I get stuck behind the guy in line who sneaks a cigarette. I have to enter the mall and walk past the 6 people who are basically blocking the doors with themselves and their cloud of smoke. I get stuck walking down the street behind the person smoking and not blowing their smoke up in the air so that it doesnt bother others. I get stuck on the bleachers at my son's baseball game next to the guy who is sitting in the front and the wind blows the smoke across everyone else on the bleachers. I get stuck at the stoplight next to the person smoking in the car whose smoke goes right into my car. not to mention the number of times my car has been hit by a smoldering missile because the smoker does not want to dirty the ashtray in the car and would rather pollute the streets.

Please. There is no way 99.9% of smokers are considerate.

Yes, many are. But, it seems much more like a minority than a majority

 

[Princess Katherine]

I wish they'd ban smoking everywhere. It's gross and it can kill you. Second hand smoke is everywhere in WDW and the world.

 

[Tramp68]

Please not ANOTHER bash on smokers thread... and yes... according to most rules of polite conversation and discussion... calling people ignorant and stupid is bashing....

People know it is hazardous, they know it can kill them, but they do it anyway. What other words describe that?

My neighbor dies at 40 years old with lung cancer and leaves behind 3 children under the age of 5. She was the main breadwinner of the family. The husband never smoked and now has COPD due to breathing second hand smoke. The oldest isnt even 10 yet. Let's congratulate them and make it easier for them to orphan their children. Or let's consider the quality of life these kids are going to now have (yes, both parents are only children and both sets of grandparents are deceased)

 

[Tramp68]

and yes... according to most rules of polite conversation and discussion... calling people ignorant and stupid is bashing....

Ignorance is not a negative thing. It means that you are uninformed about a particular topic. Calling someone ignorant is not an insult.

Stupidity is another story, but I have already covered that.

Stupid is as stupid does.....

I see it no different than the death of Phillip Seymore Hoffman or any other person who dies from drugs. It is stupid that they tried them in the first place. It was a preventable death and the world has now been deprived of his talent.

 

[amberpi]

There is no reason for a 100% smoking ban inside the MK or other Disney theme parks. The parks are already smoke-free, except for a few designated areas at each park. Most smokers comply with the rules.

Some of Disney's smoking areas are better situated than others. Disney took the easy way out using the sides of existing walkways as smoking sections. Because a large number of people sometimes smoke in a small area, the cloud of smoke becomes unavoidable for nonsmokers just trying to get from one part of a park to another.

A smoker's day at a Disney park includes taking some cigarette breaks. Rather than banning smoking, I'd like to see Disney put in nice smoking areas that are not part of walkways. Why not make it pleasant for smokers? Have tables and chairs, umbrellas to protect from sun, and gazebos to escape from the rain. Perhaps sell coffee nearby so that smokers can relax with coffee and a cigarette -- all while not subjecting nonsmokers to unwanted smoke.

Undoubtedly, older smokers fondly remember when they could smoke everywhere, excepts in lines and on attractions. The restaurants had smoking and nonsmoking sections (but the smoke would drift throughout the restaurants). That was bad for the rest of us.

I hate the smell of cigarette smoke. For some people, even short exposure to smoke can trigger medical reactions. But my happiness is not increased by making smokers miserable. Give smokers a places to smoke away from nonsmokers, and we can all be happy.

That's pretty much my feeling on it. I don't smoke, I hate long term exposure to smoke, but ya know what? People smoke. Give them somewhere decent to do it. I always wondered why they don't use the Odyssey for instance in Epcot as a DSA. The smokers would have a nice place to enjoy, the non-smokers wouldn't be bothered.

Also, I could give a rat's potity about ecigs, they don't bother me in the least, I wish everyone at the weekly trivia night spot I frequent would adopt them. Its SO much nicer than cigarette smoke.

 

[amberpi]

While we are making wish lists, can I add that every guest of appropriate age must use deodorant to eliminate personal body odor to the list? I had to leave a line several trips back - from Spaceship Earth (in the evening no less!) - because I was literally gagging due to BO. GROSS! I'd actually take cigarette smoke over that one!

 

[MickeyChix]

Being a non smoker I'm quick to want to say yes. However, even smokers have rights. If they choose to harm themselves so be it. Remember Walt was a heavy smoker and it cost him his life. Anyway, I concur that a couple of their spots could be relocated away from food service areas for sure. With that being said though, in the twenty year period in which I've been at the parks over 13 trips, I've actually never had a problem and can't even remember encountering a smoker. We tend to go off season so less people I guess?

 

[MickeyChix]

Too Funny and I agree!!!! With the deorderant!

 

[Tramp68]

Give smokers a places to smoke away from nonsmokers, and we can all be happy.

That would work for me. However, I think most smokers would be upset about having to go out of the way to smoke

 

[Suger Mag]

Ignorance is not a negative thing. It means that you are uninformed about a particular topic. Calling someone ignorant is not an insult.

Stupidity is another story, but I have already covered that.

Stupid is as stupid does.....

I see it no different than the death of Phillip Seymore Hoffman or any other person who dies from drugs. It is stupid that they tried them in the first place. It was a preventable death and the world has now been deprived of his talent.

I so wish people were nicer and had more empathy for their fellow humans.... I hope you and anyone you love never suffers from addiction.

 

[KanataDad]

I know smokers feel they have the right to smoke anywhere. But non-smokers have the right not to inhale second hand smoke. There have been many example of restaurant workers who never smoked a day in their lives but ended up with lung cancer. Yes - the argument here would be it's an enclosed space and smoking has been banned in restaurants so not a problem anymore.

Then there are those that have smoked for 50 year and claim to be healthy and cancer free.

Everyone's bodies will react differently to bad substances in the smoke.

Even if there is 90% dissipation of the smoke outdoors there is still that small amount the everyone else around is breathing in, and though the negative effects may be much less than inhaling in an enclosed space, the negative effects are still there.

What about children whose lungs are smaller and the effects of even the littlest amount can have long term effects. May be not now, or in 10 or 20 years, but may be 50 years later.

So if there is absolute guarantee that the second smoke that we (and our children) inhale has absolute no negative long term effect then sure let them smoke in a designated area in the park away from the crowds.

But since no one can guarantee, I would like Disney to consider banning it completely within 200 feet of park gates.

Some people may feel that there will be a negative impact on number of people who visit the park. But this was the same argument used for bars and restaurants. Plus this is Disney, you'll always have people coming regardless of all the changes being made over the years, and prices being increased over the years. Attendance still goes up every year.

My 2 cents - and I don't mean to offend any smokers here. My Dad smoked since he was 13 years old ... still smokes to this date (at 70) even after 2 heart attacks and not the best of health. And I just had an uncle who was a heavy smoker pass away after 2 strokes that left him paralysed on one side, and after 3rd heart attack at age 62.

I watched them age faster, and their health deteriorate faster than other family members that never smoked or gave it up 30 years ago.

Have a Magical day.

 

[Tramp68]

I so wish people were nicer and had more empathy for their fellow humans.... I hope you and anyone you love never suffers from addiction.

I did lose my mother in law to lung cancer from smoking and my step father in law to pneumonia as a complication from smoking. My father has had 2 strokes due to smoking. He continues to smoke to this day though he lies about it every day.

I do empathize. However, it was a different time and the education was not out there. Now there are a ton of drug /alcohol and smoking education programs at school. There really is no excuse for beginning these adictions with the exception of those that are a direct result of an injury leading to painkiller addiction.

I support the person's right to do it if they choose. But, it should be done in a way that is not a harm to ANYONE else around them. This includes smoking anywhere near another person, especially their own children. I get very angry when I think about the amount of second hand smoke that I was exposed to as a child with my parents both smoking in the house and especially in the car with the windows all rolled up. I stopped going on Disney trips with them because I refused to ride in the car for 20 hours with chain smoking and the windows shut and they wouldnt keep the smoking outside of the car. But that was not the case when I was too young to decide for myself. I also refused to bring my kids to my in-laws house because they were smoking in the house and wouldn't stop. If they wanted to visit they had to come to our house and smoke outside. End of story.

I should NEVER have to hold my breath to avoid cancer causing smoke while I am out in public.

 

[Figmentforever24]

First just want to say sorry for the loss of those who have lost someone through smoking. My uncle died from lung cancer due to smoking so I understand your pain. To the point of smoking in the parks. I think it should be allowed for the reason that people do have the right to smoke if they want to. I think it should continue in the designated areas, but they should move some around like the one in from of the dole whip stand. Let the smokers smoke as long as they are away from people who do not want them or their family around it.

 

[Tramp68]

Can we agree to a no-warning ejection from the park if you smoke outside of a designated smoking area in addition to moving some of the areas a bit more off the main path?

 

[Tramp68]

I so wish people were nicer and had more empathy for their fellow humans.... I hope you and anyone you love never suffers from addiction.

I am actually a very nice person. I am also incredibly empathetic. As a middle school teacher, I have to be.

I personally just watched the grief that a former student of mine (now a senior in HS) as she had to watch her brother (Freshman in College) be buried after a heroin OD. Not the family you would expect this to happen to. It should have never happened. I am overwhelmingly empathetic of her and her family. However, that does not change the fact that it was incredibly stupid of him to try drugs in the first place. Another tragedy that could easily have been avoided....

 

[Suger Mag]

I did lose my mother in law to lung cancer from smoking and my step father in law to pneumonia as a complication from smoking. My father has had 2 strokes due to smoking. He continues to smoke to this day though he lies about it every day.

I do empathize. However, it was a different time and the education was not out there. Now there are a ton of drug /alcohol and smoking education programs at school. There really is no excuse for beginning these adictions with the exception of those that are a direct result of an injury leading to painkiller addiction.

I support the person's right to do it if they choose. But, it should be done in a way that is not a harm to ANYONE else around them. This includes smoking anywhere near another person, especially their own children. I get very angry when I think about the amount of second hand smoke that I was exposed to as a child with my parents both smoking in the house and especially in the car with the windows all rolled up. I stopped going on Disney trips with them because I refused to ride in the car for 20 hours with chain smoking and the windows shut and they wouldnt keep the smoking outside of the car. But that was not the case when I was too young to decide for myself. I also refused to bring my kids to my in-laws house because they were smoking in the house and wouldn't stop. If they wanted to visit they had to come to our house and smoke outside. End of story.

I should NEVER have to hold my breath to avoid cancer causing smoke while I am out in public.

I respect your loss and that your hostility and anger stems from your own pain, but you need to realize that you are coming across in a negative way that is hurtful and insulting... especially to people who are addicted or are survivors of addiction.

You want it all to be very simplistic.... and 'Oh well they should know better"... but besides a bad back... there are many types of 'injuries' that can cause people to turn to legal drugs like tobacco, alcohol, and prescription pain meds.... as well as illegal drugs like heroin for support. is it right? no... but it is a reality. Too often survivors of sexual abuse seek to numb their pain and trauma through these substances... are they stupid and ignorant? because that is what you are essentially saying. I think you also need to respect that addiction... today, yesterday and tomorrow is too often a very complicated and sad issue.... and not because of just stupidity and ignorance.

I respect that you dislike smoking and do not want to be exposed to smoke. But when people are following the rules in a public place... like smoking in designated areas, that are publicly marked. Then there is no need for disrespecting them by being hurtful, insulting or whatever particular descriptive you choose.

If you do not like a policy than fine... tell management, email Disney, write a letter and by all means talk about it here. But there is no need to be rude or talk down about people by saying they are stupid and ignorant... especially people who are following the current rules. Which is what this thread is in theory about... people smoking is proper designated smoking areas ... at MK...that the original poster did not like the location of .... and thought should be eliminated from the park.

 

[Lost n' Translation]

I want to live in your world. I get stuck behind the guy in line who sneaks a cigarette. I have to enter the mall and walk past the 6 people who are basically blocking the doors with themselves and their cloud of smoke. I get stuck walking down the street behind the person smoking and not blowing their smoke up in the air so that it doesnt bother others. I get stuck on the bleachers at my son's baseball game next to the guy who is sitting in the front and the wind blows the smoke across everyone else on the bleachers. I get stuck at the stoplight next to the person smoking in the car whose smoke goes right into my car. not to mention the number of times my car has been hit by a smoldering missile because the smoker does not want to dirty the ashtray in the car and would rather pollute the streets.

Please. There is no way 99.9% of smokers are considerate.

Yes, many are. But, it seems much more like a minority than a majority

WOW!!! It must be a joy to be around you!!!!! To know everything must be a blessing. I bet your pretty opinionated about a bunch of other topics also. Do you want to talk about religion and politics?

 

[EasternShoreGal]

Can we agree to a no-warning ejection from the park if you smoke outside of a designated smoking area in addition to moving some of the areas a bit more off the main path?

I would actually second that. This happens way too often. It bothers me more than the designated smoking areas and I have never seen a cast member say anything to anyone smoking outside those areas.

I am not a smoker. Never have been, never will be. My parents both smoked when I was a young child in the 60's and 70's and I remember being enclosed in a car and complaining about it then...even before we knew all the negative effects. I was thrilled when they banned smoking in most indoor locations. I will say that Disney does need to look at the location of their smoking areas in and out of the parks. Some locations just don't make sense.

Instead of posting on the DIS board, I would suggest a letter to Disney expressing not only your concerns but possible suggestions on where to relocate the area. I seriously doubt they will eliminate them completely as they rely too much on foreign dollars where smoking is not viewed the same way in many locations. We had an issue with the location of a smoking area at BCV, which was placed right in a main walkway. If you were walking into the Marketplace in the main resort (a daily occurrence at minimum) you went through it and if you were walking to Epcot you went through it with no easy way to avoid it. We did complain to management, in person, via our survey and with a direct letter to management. Not sure of our input made a difference but the last time we were there we noticed the area was no longer being used as a smoking area.

 

[Viva Las Disney]

I quit smoking a few years ago and people that say just don't smoke while at Disney or that it's ignorant to smoke don't understand addiction. I tried to quit dozens of times before I succeeded, smokers are very aware it bad for them, it's also an overwhelming addiction that most people start in their teens or early 20's when not making the best life decisions.

20% of the US population smokes, Disney is not going to exclude such a huge percentage of the population. They have limited smoking to less than 1% of the parks but made minimal accommodations for those that do smoke.

Strictly from a business perspective Disney would be better off banning self righteous non-smokers who can't walk within 20 feet of a smoker without making a fuss, it's a much smaller part of the population.

Since we're talking about having to breathe someone's dirty air that's bad for us why not ban all automobiles and planes while we're at it, that ought to make WDW really easy to navigate for a month or 2 until it goes bankrupt.

 

[Tramp68]

I quit smoking a few years ago and people that say just don't smoke while at Disney or that it's ignorant to smoke don't understand addiction. I tried to quit dozens of times before I succeeded, smokers are very aware it bad for them, it's also an overwhelming addiction that most people start in their teens or early 20's when not making the best life decisions. 20% of the US population smokes, Disney is not going to exclude such a huge percentage of the population. They have limited smoking to less than 1% of the parks but made minimal accommodations for those that do smoke. Strictly from a business perspective Disney would be better off banning self righteous non-smokers who can't walk within 20 feet of a smoker without making a fuss, it's a much smaller part of the population. Since we're talking about having to breathe someone's dirty air that's bad for us why not ban all automobiles and planes while we're at it, that ought to make WDW really easy to navigate for a month or 2 until it goes bankrupt.

I never said it was ignorant to smoke. I said that people either BEGIN to smoke out of ignorance (not knowing it is bad for you) OR out of stupidity ( you knew better but did it anyway). Addiction is a reality but is also a consequence most people know before they start the behavior.

Isn't this really about the welfare of children? Smoking is banned on school property and at many athletic fields( where kids leagues play) why shouldn't it be at Disney?