For Recent Visitors/Smoking Policy

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by catwho
xh is "ex husband" although we are not married we still believe strongly that we are a family. We spend most holidays and weekends together as a family and go to Disney every year (or more often) He's a great guy and a wonderful dad. People are always wondering why we separated in the first place!

I agree with the perfume thing too. I attend a church that actually has a "no fragrance policy" It sure makes attending a lot more pleasant!

RE:xh, that is really nice to hear. It is great for the kids.

 

[PamNC]

As a non-smoker, I'd first of all like to thank you for smoking in the designated areas!!! You're right, some folks don't abide by the rule. But, since the rule I've noticed quite a difference. I've seen CM's go both ways - ignore and uphold. No rhyme or reason other than just the individual CM's gumption I guess.

I think even if most people abide, it truly helps. I applaud you for upholding! My mom smokes and she abides too.

PamNC

 

[Pat_Elliott]

Originally posted by PamNC
I think even if most people abide, it truly helps. I applaud you for upholding! My mom smokes and she abides too.

PamNC

Thanks Pam, but you don't have to thank us. You should expect as much. I get my back up against the wall occasionally when people make obtuse statments about smokers because of a few bad apples. Line cutting is wrong, and some CM's will do something about it on sight, others will turn their backs. It's pretty much the same thing......but I firmly believe most smokers do, in fact, know and appreciate that unlike line-cutting, smoking can have an adverse affect on non-smokers beyond their temper on a hot day.

It all comes down to a jerk is a jerk, whether they're cutting in line, stumbling drunk through the Canadian Pavillion, blasting their stroller into my thighs, or smoking in line at Peter Pan. And anyone who knowingly smokes in a non-smoking area in Disney (stress "knowingly") is being a jerk. IMO.

 

[tmq2766]

smoking is just as legal in this country as alcohol consumption so why don't they have designatd drinking areas? It really offends me when people have had too much to drink and are stumbling around..... Don't get me wrong I am all for designated areas to smoke. I just don't understand why you never hear people complaining about the guy who accidentally splashed his beer all over the little kid walking by.

 

[Strings]

First, to all the polite smokers thank you. CJS1001, my DD3 has severe asthma. We carry her nebulizer with us at all times. She is not old enough to use rescue inhalers yet. This is slightly smaller than a laptop. We avoid fairs, bars, etc. If someone is smoking on the sidewalk, we ask the to please put it out. We are polite and state she has asthma. Occasionally. we have to cross the street. On the forth of July, we did go to the parade. A woman told us off.(I can't put what she said because of the filter) We did move, however it was too late. DD not only missed the parade, she was in the ER for 6 hours. I know people have a right to smoke and take chances with their health. I just wish they wouldn't risk my daughter's life at the same time.

 

[catwho]

Originally posted by tmq2766
smoking is just as legal in this country as alcohol consumption so why don't they have designatd drinking areas? It really offends me when people have had too much to drink and are stumbling around.....

Oh I have complained countless times about overly inebriated individuals. My xh and I have a glass of wine or beer at Epcot and enjoy doing so. Our purpose for going to WDW is not to get drunk (we could do that more cheaply at home if we wanted to)

I know there are some of "you" that participate in the "Drink your way around the World" game, but Personally I wish you would stop it or at least not do it all in one day (with nothing to eat) I have run into more rude drunk people who were participating in that "game"! If you want to get drunk, stay home and don't ruin other people's vacations.

And to be fair, I have had more soda spilled on me than I have beer or wine spilled on me and cigarette smoke blown at me. So maybe we should have a designated clumsy area as well

 

[Kallison]

Pat -- Kimberly is going to give you heck about smoking as soon she reaches grade school and they start the drug ecducation so you might as well start trying to quit now !

 

[crazymomof4]

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.

I don't have a serious health problem but I do get almost instant headaches from breathing certain smells (wood smoke, perfumes, exhaust fumes) I cannot even wear scented deoderants! That's what bugs me when a smoker (although everyone here seems to be very understanding and considerate) accuses a non-smoker of just trying to push them around and having some kind of vendetta against smokers. It's not that way at all for me. I have actually told my mom to go and wash off her perfume before we drive in the car together! So it's nothing against smokers personally.
Anyway, when I get my first whiff of a cigarette, I hold my breath and scope out the smoker, then I keep holding my breath and quickly go around them or away from them. I NEVER go to a place where I wouldn't be able to get around the smoke like a bar, or restaurant w/o a nonsmoking section. It's just not worth the headache!

Thanks Pat_Elliott for answering my question. Congrats on the upcoming arrival of your DD! There is not much in life that can compare with the anticipation of the birth of a child!! Best wishes for a safe and easy delivery!

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by Kallison
Pat -- Kimberly is going to give you heck about smoking as soon she reaches grade school and they start the drug ecducation so you might as well start trying to quit now !

Ah, yes, the drug education. Brook did that course and my response was, yes, it is bad, yes it is an addiction, yes, I am an adult and when the school starts paying my bills then they can dictate what I can do, most especially when it is a legal activity.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by Strings
First, to all the polite smokers thank you. CJS1001, my DD3 has severe asthma. We carry her nebulizer with us at all times. She is not old enough to use rescue inhalers yet. This is slightly smaller than a laptop. We avoid fairs, bars, etc. If someone is smoking on the sidewalk, we ask the to please put it out. We are polite and state she has asthma. Occasionally. we have to cross the street. On the forth of July, we did go to the parade. A woman told us off.(I can't put what she said because of the filter) We did move, however it was too late. DD not only missed the parade, she was in the ER for 6 hours. I know people have a right to smoke and take chances with their health. I just wish they wouldn't risk my daughter's life at the same time.

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.

 

[Pat_Elliott]

Originally posted by Kallison
Pat -- Kimberly is going to give you heck about smoking as soon she reaches grade school and they start the drug ecducation so you might as well start trying to quit now !

I was waiting for that...............

Note to all: admission of smoking and fighting for one's right to smoke is not, in any way shape or form, a claim that smoking is anything but a dangerous, nasty, intrusive habit. However, it is protected by the United States Constitution. For the record, line-cutting is not.

Kimberly won't have to wait until school to see me smoke free. I've promised Amy that once Kimberly reaches home, home and I will both be smoke-free. That wasn't a request from Amy, just s decision on my own that the best way to deliver a message is by example. And if I catch Kimberly with cigarettes, I'm putting her in a convent. Talk the talk, walk the walk. Note: I'm an avid jogger, and the crap is not only killing me slowly, but makes running a real pain. Just so everyone understands if I'm nasty in September, I'm not only going on low sleep, I'M IN NICOTINE WITHDRAWAL!!!

 

[EsmeraldaX]

Is smoking allowed in all of the parks? DBF is a smoker and though he can live without, I'm sure would like a few smoke breaks during the days we are there.

 

[catwho]

smoking is allowed in all the theme parks in designated areas. These are marked on all the park maps and if you are unsure you can ask a CM who can direct you to the closest location.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by EsmeraldaX
Is smoking allowed in all of the parks? DBF is a smoker and though he can live without, I'm sure would like a few smoke breaks during the days we are there.

Yes, it is. Here is a list of the areas. http://wdwig.com/smoke.htm



Sea World does not have this policy, btw. They let you know where smoking is not allowed.

 

[Pat_Elliott]

Originally posted by EsmeraldaX
Is smoking allowed in all of the parks? DBF is a smoker and though he can live without, I'm sure would like a few smoke breaks during the days we are there.

Absolutely. As this thread should indicate, it's polite and proper to smoke only within assigned smoking areas (and quite frankly, this is one of the most civil threads I've seen on smoking). Personally, even when in a smoking area I try to note anyone's discomfort. Some of the areas are poorly chosen, even in a smoker's opinion. Example would be the UK Courtyard. It's great to chug an ale, listen to the British Invasion, and have a puff, but that's what I consider a heavy commons area due to the band. And right behind the smoking area is a door from whence characters emerge, meaning children are abundant at times, and it's not a matter of their parents having the sense of fair play to keep them out of the smoking areas. I mean, kids run to characters, right?

Another example is next to the restrooms behind the castle in MK. I mean, that's sacred ground. I won't do it.

But look at your map when you enter the park. You'll find the smoking areas noted, and once your DBF is there, the boundries aren't obvious, best to simply stay right next to an ashtray. I find it quite convenient. Before I got the "hang of it," when all else fails, I asked a CM, BEFORE I LIT UP.

Your DBF will find the smoking areas fair, convenient, and like most of WDW, beautiful to look at.

Pat

 

[Pat_Elliott]

Originally posted by GAIL HAYDEN
Yes, it is. Here is a list of the areas. http://wdwig.com/smoke.htm

Wow, I didn't know Deb had a list. Neat research tool.....

 

[RickinNYC]

Like many folks out there, I'm a smoker as well (though I'm dwindling down to almost nothing). Whenever I've smoked at WDW since the new policies, I have always, without fail, looked for a designated smoking area. I've never had to be admonished for not following the rules simply because I never broke them.

I feel I'm a good person. I care about others. I'm concerned for your well being. I'll help you if you're down. I believe in the inherent good in almost all of us.

That being said, I have a question for the non-smokers. What in God's green earth gave you the right to simply walk up to me and tell me that I was disgusting for smoking? When did a bad habit start dictating the caliber of the individual? I'm smoking, thus hurting only myself (please don't rant about second hand smoke -- I didn't just fall out of a cave).

To that end, what is up with the nakedly hate filled, "smite thee down with the sword of Saint Michael" stares when I choose to light up in a designated area? When did smoking become equated with pure evil?

And for the record, and I know I can speak for all smokers in the entire world, Yes! We do know that smoking is very, very bad for us!

Climbing down from my soap box now... and quietly going to the designated smoking area at work... aka the street corner with the other degenerates.

DISCLAIMER: THE ABOVE WAS WRITTEN AS AN AMUSING SOCIAL COMMENTARY MUCH IN THE TONE OF ANDY ROONEY! Please don't flame my poor smoking butt!

 

[crazymomof4]

Originally posted by Pat_Elliott


Kimberly won't have to wait until school to see me smoke free. I've promised Amy that once Kimberly reaches home, home and I will both be smoke-free. That wasn't a request from Amy, just s decision on my own that the best way to deliver a message is by example. And if I catch Kimberly with cigarettes, I'm putting her in a convent. Talk the talk, walk the walk. Note: I'm an avid jogger, and the crap is not only killing me slowly, but makes running a real pain.

Kimberly will benefit by having a healthier Daddy who (based on statistics) will be around longer for her to love!

 

[pintrader]

I only read page one but I do have an additional thought that I have not shared on other threads of this same topic.

As I now spend almost every day at WDW I sit and watch more than anything. After many months of sitting and watching I have come up with a few observations. ALL of these I have confirmed before I added them to post. This was just the next one that came up since I confirmed my suspicions.

When a Cast Member does not enforce the rule I have come up with two reasons why they do not and they remain constant.

1) Either the CM does not like confrontation or the more frequent reason, I have leared after inquiring into the matter is,

2) the CM is a smoker themselves and they truly honestly don't "notice" it like non-smokers do. The word odor has synonyms like scent, smell, stink and stench. If a person is a smoker the odor or smell is normal to a smoke therefore smoking guests or Cast Members are not as aware of the odor as non-smokers. it is typically not picked up by the olfactory nerves if it is "normal" to that person.

Those of us who have severe breathing problems genuinely do appreciate those of you who respect the smoking areas. Disney has made it possible in most cases for folks with breathing problems to use an alternate path that is still direct.

As some other poster put it ... if someone doesn't want to do what they are asked to do all the rules and dirty glares in the world won't make them do it. For those who intent to comply I think Disney has done what they can to keep us all happy.

Anyway do I think it is enforced well? NO But I think the CMs who don't are typically smokers themselves and even though they are considerate polite smokers they simply don't notice the passerby with a lit cigarette.

 

[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.