Impact of New Florida Smoking Law on Rooms

[Wes]

There has been a lot on the boards about smoking and non-smoking rooms. And there may have been some mention of this, but the posts grow so fast that I don't try to read them all. So I am raising it as a specific topic.

In the last election, Florida voters passed a new law on smoking. I do not know the details, but I have heard that, starting January 1, 2003, the law will prohibit smoking in public areas outdoor, so that there will be no more smoking allowed in the Theme Parks.

Does anyone know whether the new law will impact the rooms in DVC Florida resorts?

And please don't turn this into another smoking debate thread.

 

[PamOKW]

Interesting question. I found an article in the St. Petersburg paper (using a Google search). This paragraph indicates that it won't effect hotel rooms:

As worded, the amendment stops smoking virtually anywhere people earn a wage, except tobacco shops, designated hotel rooms and stand-alone bars that serve little food. That includes most restaurants, bowling alleys, offices, barbershops and laundries.

Of course, down the line, the ban could be expanded. Also, if the demand for smoking rooms drops, then DVC and other hoteliers will cut back on the number of smoking rooms available.

 

[ncligs]

Gail,
Where are you???

 

[PamOKW]

Here's a link to a press release that has a link to a pdf version of the actual amendment. It is similar to what has been in effect in NYC for quite a few years and really hasn't been a problem.

Amendment 6 Link

 

[spruce]

I'm not a smoker but that law is just stupid. Security and the police have more in todays world to worry about then ticket smokers in the OUTDOORS!! Sounds like too much government AGAIN!!. How about a little common sense and courtousy instead of legislation. What's next?. One other thought, is WDW a public place or private property which we pay to enter?.....spruce

 

[PamOKW]

I don't believe this law does prohibit smoking outdoors. If you read it, it talks about how smoking is not permitted in "indoor" work places with a very few exceptions, including designated hotel/motel rooms.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

In the last election, Florida voters passed a new law on smoking. I do not know the details, but I have heard that, starting January 1, 2003, the law will prohibit smoking in public areas outdoor, so that there will be no more smoking allowed in the Theme Parks.

read the article that is linked in another post. It has nothing to do with outdoor smoking or hotel, motel or resort rooms.

 

[Wes]

Originally posted by PamOKW
Here's a link to a press release that has a link to a pdf version of the actual amendment. It is similar to what has been in effect in NYC for quite a few years and really hasn't been a problem.

Amendment 6 Link

Thanks for providing the link, Pam. I had not realized how sweeping the vote for it had been -- over 70% and carried in all 67 counties.

You are right. It is very explicit about being for indoors. And it does allow exceptions for hotels and public lodgings. So it will probably have no impact on the DVC resort rooms.

 

[Dean]

The amendment was strictly about restaurants. It was non specific in that it didn't define stand alone bars. I've already heard 2 variations from restaurant managers that are friends. One says it's a money test where if more than 50% come from alcohol sales, you can have smoking. The other says if you sell food, you're included.

FL has had a public building smoking ban for a few years but I don't think it restricts from the entrances like some states (25 feet) and the recent vote didn't address outdoor public areas, maybe next election.

 

[tater bug]

Amendment 6 was put on the ballot because the lawmakers refused to do anything about it on their own. Enough signatures were collected to make it a ballot initiative, forcing the Senators and Representatives to take a stand during the next Regular Session (March and April, 2003). By the time this hits the books it will probably be so watered down it won't even be recognizable. Florida does has term limits (4 terms) and that's about the extent of the turnover. It is very difficult to get good people to run against the incumbents.

 

[mrsapalm]

Originally posted by spruce
One other thought, is WDW a public place or private property which we pay to enter?.....spruce

Just to answer your question, WDW is considered private property - it's not a public place, therefore it has the ability to make rules specific to the property.
-MrsAPalm

 

[doxdogy]

It is my understanding (from what has been reported on local news stations). That restaurants will be able to provide outdoor areas for the smoking patrons to use.

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by doxdogy
It is my understanding (from what has been reported on local news stations). That restaurants will be able to provide outdoor areas for the smoking patrons to use.

That may be but from the wording of the amendment, I don't think you could come to that conclusion. It simply specified restaurants and excluded stand alone bars. I don't see how it could be "watered down very much". The ony issue I see is in deciding what a "stand alone bar" is. I know I was in Bennigan's this past weekend and they said it would most definitely affect them and they likely sell more alcohol compared to food of any of the franchised fern bars, at least the ones her in Tallahassee. My friend who manages Longhorn said he thought is would increase his business overall and I've seen that reported from other states with similar bans.

 

[kylara]

The amendment does allow for smoking in outdoor seating areas of resturants but the resturant association is having trouble since it doesn't define if screened or covered areas are considered outdoor or indoor areas.

This Orlando Sentinel had an article in Sunday's paper about how this might end up being watered down. Some resturants are complaining that since it doesn't define "stand alone bar" that places like Friday's Bennigans etc, will fall under the ban. It also doesn't address that currently stand alone bars are able to sell food. Many resturantier feel that the bars will expand their menus beyond the finger food/burger to compete and bring in the smokers thus cutting into the chain resturant/bars business.

 

[minnieandmickey]

This law sounds very much like the one we have here in CA. Although there is no smoking in any public place, I do know at DL they have designated smoking areas around the parks, and we still do have the option of a smoking or non smoking hotel rooms.