For Recent Visitors/Smoking Policy

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by Strings
Gail,
I did not mean to offend you or anyone else. I take great lengths to avoid smokers. I am always polite, and for the most part, people are very nice about it. Rest assured that, we were indeed at the parade route long befoer that woman was. We were also the ones to move when she wouldn't put out her cigarette out. In fact, she lit up another immediately. It is unfortunate that people like that woman give smokers a bad name. We will remember that incident over the nice gentleman who complied with our request. I agree that I need to be vigilent to protect my daughter, but she also has a right to see that parade.

You did not offend me and I sincerely hope that I did not offend you. As I said, I am sure you are extreamly polite, and all I offered were two sides of the coin. And, you are totally correct, you DD has a right to live and enjoy.

 

[Pamlur]

I quit smoking last year, just because *I* decided it was time to quit. It was tough, because I'm a grandma, and I'd been smoking a long time, but I made it. I waited until nobody was watching me, nobody had mentioned it for a while, and I didn't discuss it during the ordeal.

I have just in the last few months realized that I don't have to wonder where a smoking area is anymore, or check to see if a hotel/guest house will accomodate me. I always checked automatically, and not checking has snuck up on me.

It's interesting to be on *this* side of the coin after all those years. And I have sworn to never be the obnoxious "holier than thou" ex-smoker that some of my friends became.

Not that any of this has much to do with the thread, but my typing fingers wanted to be on the keyboard for a little while.

 

[Duckster]

Originally posted by cjs1001
I totally agree with smoking in designated areas and not where you aren't supposed too.

But I do have an honest question to those that can't breathe smoke cuz of medical illnesses. What do you do at other places maybe in your hometown that you may be surrounded by smoke such as County Fairs, walking on a side walk into a store etc.
I am in no way being sarcastic I am just curious.

We do anything we can to keep my daughter's distance from it. That means when walling on a sidewalk towards a store, we might go to the next door to avoid the smoke. I always make sure I put her on the opposite side of me than the smoker. Grant it, I cannot shield her from all smoke, but we make every effert to keep her away from any smoke as possible. My wife and I pretty much have this down to a routine to ensure that my daughter does note have to walk through a bunch of smoke.

 

[Duckster]

I must say, however, despite how much I dislike smoking, I respect and am very thankful to you smokers who are considerate of others around you by adhering to the smoking policy. It is appreciated by our family very much!

 

[cindala]

I must say that I noticed many more smokers in the parks on our trip in July, than on any other trip. These were smokers who were walking around trying to conceal the cigarette, by cupping it or holding it down low. Since I don't know where the designated smoking areas are, I'd have to assume they weren't in one, since they were walking around.

I can't remember once in all our other trips ever seeing this. We go the same time every year, so it's not because of that. Either CM's weren't enforcing the rule, or there was an abundance of smokers not aware of the designated areas, or who just didn't care.

 

[EsmeraldaX]

Originally posted by Duckster
We do anything we can to keep my daughter's distance from it. That means when walling on a sidewalk towards a store, we might go to the next door to avoid the smoke. I always make sure I put her on the opposite side of me than the smoker. Grant it, I cannot shield her from all smoke, but we make every effert to keep her away from any smoke as possible. My wife and I pretty much have this down to a routine to ensure that my daughter does note have to walk through a bunch of smoke.

I have a very severe allergy to smoke. My DBF whom I live with smokes. He always makes sure to smoke outside with the screen doors closed and the smoke blowing the opposite direction. When he comes back into the house he sprays himself down with Lysol. If I am outside with him when he smokes he walks a bit ahead of me and checks the direction of the wind before lighting up to make sure nothing blows towards me.

Thus far , for me, this has worked out just fine.

I would say at a place where lots of people are smoking, try to figure out which way the smoke is blowing and stand the other way.

That works for me .

Good luck,

Sheri

 

[RickinNYC]

I recall on one trip, when my partner and I ran in to get a quick bite to eat at Cosmic Rays. A friend of ours who we were traveling with decided to sit outside and people watch. When we came back out, he was sitting, brazenly smoking away even though we had told him a few times prior that WDW had designated smoking areas throughout the parks. (We are both smokers and are VERY diligent about only smoking in the approved areas.)
When I mentioned that he wasn't in a smoking area, he said some CM came by and picked up the ashtray he was using and walked off. Man, that ticked me off. All I said was, "I've been to WDW more times than I can count. Not once did a CM ever do that, besides the ash trays are bolted in place!" He kept denying it and was making scene, thus a fool of himself and STILL refused to put his butt out.
I walked over, plucked the cigarette from his mouth, stomped it out and put it in the trash. "Don't be rude and don't be a fool." And then pointed out the smoking area that was less than 20 feet away from him.
He never did that again the rest of our vacation.

 

[EsmeraldaX]

Originally posted by GAIL HAYDEN
With all due respect, it is an incumbent upon you to keep your daughter away from areas that have smoke as it is for the smoker to be couteous to you. We have no idea of your child's problem. To be honest, if I were smoking anywhere and you came along and asked me to put it out because your DD has asthma, I would politely tell you I was here first and you need to avoid me. In the converse, if you were standing somewhere and I came along, did not notice the nebulizer, and lit up, and you asked me to move or put it out, then I would most definitely comply. I am sure you are extreamly polite, but, to approach (key word is approach) someone who is smoking an ask that they put it out because of DD's problem is a bit over the top. I hope you understand what I am saying.

I am a non smoker with a severe allergy to smoke and I have to say I agree with GAIL. IF I was there first, then I'd politely ask the person to put it out. If not, I would avoid smoky areas. Or face the opposite way of the wind so it doesn't blow towards me.

I hate smoking. I think it is a disgusting , vile, nasty habit but it is a legal activity in this country, and esp here in Boston, I have seen the effects of bans on smoking in public places (nasty looking sidewalks and a few local restraunt/bars that have gone out of business). My DBF smokes. There are , IMHO, FAR FAR worse things he could do.

My XH had a horrible drinking problem. I'll take a few cig's a day over that anytime.

 

[cjs1001]

Again I am in no way trying to come off in a bad way but I just need to vent.

I am a smoker and the one thing that bothers me sooo much is when a non-smoker has a bad experience with a smoker and their response is " this person gives smokers a bad name". That is unfair. You cannot not judge "all smokers" because you may have a bad experience with a few. That's like me saying that some older women got me mad on the highway and almost ran me off the road ...so all older women are bad drivers and give the rest of of them a bad name. Or because your kid may be whiny or throwing a temper tantrum that your kid gives other kids a bad rap.

Don't judge a group of people together that have a similar interest because you had a bad experience with just one or two of them.

Have a great day!!!!

 

[Melora]

I have been at the parks and on several occasions and seen many people violating the rules about where they can smoke. It really makes me upset since I don't want my kids exposed to it, and the smell gives me a headache... I find most often people are outside the bathrooms smoking....Usually I wave the smoke away with my hand and say to my kids, Come on, you don't need to breath that.. I wish people would smoke where they are supposed to and give then give the smoker a frown.

 

[pintrader]

let us not forget what the question was here,

Not wanting to start a fight on board just to see if you think policy is working and being enforced better than in the past.

We have all had our experiences smokers and non-smokers alike. We all want the same things generally, to be respected whether we are smokers or not, whether we have allergies or not. Whether we respect our most valuable possession or not. (child, health, lungs, family)
Soap boxes don't provide near as good an effect as a polite approach to the situation. If you think you are who I meant when I mentioned "soapbox" you aren't. I didn't mean anyone in particular, I just meant generically.

Smokers, once again thanks for observing the rules to those of you who do. Non-smokers, thanks to those of you who go out of your way to avoid the smokers in their designated areas.

 

[epcotfan]

I saw people casually walking around the parks smoking last week. Some people may not be aware of the smoking designated areas or maybe they just don't care. However, there were plenty of people smoking in the designated areas so obviously some people are looking at the guide maps. The worst thing I saw was a woman holding her baby and smoking at the same time though.