I feel ashamed about this topic...smoking in Florida

[nomy]

I know, I know. I really am embarrassed and ashamed to admit that I am a smoker....only a light one though (if that makes any difference). And I actually do intend to stop after the holiday. Quite a commitment after 30 years!

Accepting my addiction, and hoping there are a few other smokers out there, I have a few questions:

I realise that there is no smoking in bars and restaurants, but is it acceptable to pop outside a restaurant to have a cigarette? Would I be alone, or is it common practice?

Are there clear areas inside the parks to smoke?

In the hotel, I would not smoke in the room (do not want to subject my daughter to the same poison as myself), but as there is no balcony what do most smokers do in that situation? Can you smoke outside the room on the walkway outside the rooms, or can I smoke round the pool area for example?

Just any general advice would be appreciated.

I am sensitive to non smokers, and would not want to offend anyone. I realise it is a disgusting habit, and just wish I never took up the habit

Thanks...

 

[marv]

Hi Nomy

There are designated smoking areas in the parks and there are plenty of them....i found i smoked less there and as you dont smoke alot you could try giving up there.
Ime with you a hundrend % it is a horrible habit and we all wish after many years that we never started.
I didn't get any bad vibes from any one there when i smoked i think aslong as you respect the rules you should be fine.
Although i did break them once in MGM just after getting of the Tower of terror i just couldn't find a designated area quike enough

Marv

 

[carolfoy]

I've seen loads of people smoking outside around the hotels, myself included, I must admit I didn't light up until other people had done so, just to make sure I was in an accepted area. Also there are quite a few smoking areas around the park, as Marv says. Just have a look on your map and and try and get used to where they are.

 

[Girlsontour]

Where are you staying? At CBR last year, it was very relaxed in regard to smoking, no smoking allowed by the pool-side, but the pool bar was only a couple of steps away and there were always ash-trays out on the tables.

 

[wilki32]

I 'gave up' 3 weeks before we went last year, those 3 weeks were OK but knew at home I'd struggle with weeks 4 to 6, just happened to be in WDW. It was easy, knew I wasn't allowed to smoke and even with the cravings there was plenty to take my mind off it. And yes unfortunately back smoking, good luck with giving up, I'm trying again whilst at DLP.

 

[Booknut]

Good luck with quitting, it is so hard to do, my dh and I tried seriously at least 4 times before it finally happened and we've been smoke free and cranky ( just kidding!) for almost 2 years now.

I do remember seeing lots of smokers around the parks in special areas so i'm sure you'll always find a place not too far away.

 

[vicky1bfc]

You will end up mapping a way round the park passing smoking area's.

 

[nomy]

Thanks, I feel a bit better knowing there are other smokers out there. I know that sounds stupid, of course there are! But you know how it is, you just imagine a big finger over your head pointing - 'leper, outcast, unclean!'

I suppose that's one thing about the new anti-smoking laws, it really brings it home how unacceptable it's becoming. So hopefully it will be easier to quit...hopefully indeed!

We are staying at Comfort Inn, LBV by the way.

 

[UKPhil]

Hi Nomy,

Don't know whether this will help, or whether I should even suggest it, but here goes ...

I'm an ex-smoker myself. I've also had a lifelong weight problem. I do find though that focussing on an upcoming holiday really gives me the willpower to make changes so it's the ideal time to diet. It was, for me, also the ideal time to give up smoking. You said you wanted to quit after the holiday, so why not quit before? The excitement of the build up then the holiday itself will distract you from thinking about smoking, and of you can kick it a couple of weeks before you go the worst cravings will have gone by the time you get there so your holiday won't be spoiled. Won't it be great not to have to worry about how you get through that 9 hour flight without a cigarette ?

Go on, give it a try !

 

[mickey'sgirl]

I am a non smoker as are my family but we went to florida with a smoker and it was good for us (dare i say it) as it reminder us to sit down and have a break while our friend went of to have a puff.

 

[LeCras]

This page has information about the various designated smoking areas in the parks, including the water parks and Wide World of Sports.

Good luck giving up if you decide to try - it's soooo worth it.

Hope that helps,

Charlotte

 

[Latel]

Hi Nomy

I don't know if it worth telling you but, the bars along International Drive, and probably everywhere else, who do not sell food (only snacks) allow smoking. My husband found this out after quitting smoking just before the holiday as he heard there was no smoking in any bars, so thought it would be a good time to give up. He was both annoyed and amused when we arrived and he found out that you could in fact smoke in quite a few bars. Still, he gave up and has not started again after nearly 2 years, so it was a good thing!

There are also plenty of designated smoking areas around all of the parks, with plenty of people using them!

Good luck if you do decide to give up.

 

[Minniespal]

You will end up mapping a way round the park passing smoking area's.

That's what we end up doing ~ so that my mum can have a smoke

 

[nomy]

Thanks for all you advice. At least I can rest easy knowing I am not going to be the only one in Florida wanting a smoke!

I would love to give up smoking before I go, but I know how stressed I get with all the planning and stuff. Just the excitement is enough to get me reaching for one!

For the first time ever, I will try some gum on the plane. This will be a mini trial run to see if the gum really works. If it does help (even a little), then that will be enough to convince me that there is some support for giving up when I return.

Thanks again.

 

[angel659]

I am not a heavy smoker, but at the moment I am giving up. My dh does not smoke and I wont smoke or have anyone else smoke around the kids.

Each time I stopped to have a ciggarette my dh didnt say anything, but you could feel he wasnt impressed having to stop just so I can have a ciggarette.

I used to stand outside my hotel room to have a ciggarette and throw the end away, so I wasnt littering anywhere. Nobody said anything and I saw other people do this as well.

 

[Pootle]

I used to stand outside my hotel room to have a ciggarette and throw the end away, so I wasnt littering anywhere. Nobody said anything and I saw other people do this as well.

That doesn't mean it's not annoying someone inside a room nearby ...... the way smoke travels is really impressive!

A couple of years ago we spent 2 nights in a non-smoking section at All Stars. We had a group of (seemingly very nice) people from the USA who congregated outside of their (and our) rooms both nights. Some were smokers. We didn't complain; but it was still mighty irritating - and smelly

Good for you all in being so considerate though

 

[angel659]

That doesn't mean it's not annoying someone inside a room nearby ...... the way smoke travels is really impressive!

A couple of years ago we spent 2 nights in a non-smoking section at All Stars. We had a group of (seemingly very nice) people from the USA who congregated outside of their (and our) rooms both nights. Some were smokers. We didn't complain; but it was still mighty irritating - and smelly

Good for you all in being so considerate though

It doesnt say anywhere other than no smoking in rooms. Smoking outside isnt breaking any laws or rules. So sorry every non-smoker would hate me, but its not my problem if I smoke people dont like it. You cant dictate what people can and cant do. I agree with no smoking in bars and resturants, but not being able to smoke outside your hotel room? Nah I cant see why non-smokers can get away with dictating how smokers live thier lives. Its wrong. You dont see people going upto alcoholics and giving them the third degree. I work in the NHS. I see more people being hurt by alcoholics than smokers. I see many young people die from liver disease, upper gi bleeds from alcohol than smoking.

Another thing some peoples perfume make we feel sick, but I dont go complaining

 

[carolfoy]

I'll agree with you Michelle, I was approached in the pub a few nights ago by someone asking if it would bother me when the ban is in place, they didn't seem to consider that alcohol is far more harmful, when was the last time someone smoked so much they drove home and killed innocent pedestrians? or what smoker wakes up the next morning seriously regretting their actions of the night before? I'm not condoning smoking, I do it and it is a disgusting habit, I almost certainly will stop when the ban comes in, but I do wish some people would give it a break!

 

[angel659]

Hi Carol,

Thanks. I totally agree. Alcohol has more impact on lives than smoking. You can still drive after smoking, but some people out thier still believe that they can drink and drive.

I think the arguement will always continue with smokers and non-smokers. I dont like being dictated to, especially when I see more death in alcoholics or drink and drive.

I agree its a disgusting habit, but I dont smoke in front of my family. I am giving it up at the moment, mainly because my dh doesnt like it. I love him so much and if this is what he wants then thats ok we live together and hearing his opinion I will accept and take on board, at the same time I know he wont pressure me, which makes the decision easier to give up.

I just do not like the way people are made to feel guilty about smoking, when other products out thier are much worse.

Rant over

 

[Pootle]

Didn't mean to ruffle your feathers so much Notice, we didn't complain and didn't feel we even had a right to do so. Just that this thread seemed to be visited by considerate smokers sensitive to others' feelings, so I thought I'd point out that if you are close to other people's rooms, it may be thoughtful to move away slightly.