No more smoking or vaping in the parks

[billlaurie]

I encourage all smokers to use this Disney smoking change as a motivation to quit!

In the 70s, schools were educating about the risks of smoking. When my mother was pregnant with my sister in 1977 and I was a teenager, I begged her to quit for the sake of the baby and she did not. I knew then she would put smoking ahead of everything else in her life. And she did, until she literally had to be brought back to life multiple times because of her habit and can no longer get herself anywhere to buy her cigarettes. She used the same excuses about not knowing the risks when she started, true for her because she is 80. She knew the risks in 1977 though and like I told her then, as a CHILD, that is no excuse for continuing to do it.
Moreover, compared to the 70s, a lot more options exist today to help you quit....gum, lozenges, patches, inhalers, and RX medications.

Rather than boycotting Disney, use this as an opportunity to stop making excuses.
It is hard, but I have witnessed, both personally and professionally, many, many people do it.

If you can't find the motivation to do it for yourself, do it for your friends and family because they WILL suffer from your personal habit. I know that firsthand.

 

[arminnie]

There’s a hysterical video on YouTube.

Google Hitler finds out about the new smoking rules at Disney World.

There are a couple of non-DIS words (but mild) in the subtitles which is why I am not posting a link.

I can envisage this happening with Disney smokers across the country.

 

[ronandannette]

I am happy to help them quit, but happy to help.keep them.going.

Not sure but I'm guessing this was meant to say you're not happy to help addicts keep going? If so, you'd lose your mind in Calgary and Vancouver where we have publicly funded "safe shooting sites" and naloxone kits free for the asking from any fire hall but almost nothing in the way of meaningful, effective therapy/rehab. The futility (and expense!!) of these ridiculous so-called harm reduction strategies are mind-boggling. Interestingly though, I just asked a doctor-friend of ours that's involved in the project whether or not cigarettes are allowed in the facility and he said no. You can smoke crack and meth indoors under supervision but have to go outside to a DAS to smoke cigarettes or marijuana. Stop this crazy world and let me off.

 

[luvsJack]

Hookah used to be popular, like a fad really because it didn't seem to last too long, then it switched to vaping.

I get it sorta when people use it as a way to help cessation but I honestly haven't met anyone who has successfully stopped cigarette smoking AND the stopped vaping. I'm sure there are people out there though.

I even know a few people who never smoked a day in their life who picked up vaping and now do that. My husband's coworker is one of those though to be honest I don't know that he uses nicotine versions.

In my mind though vaping is basically the new way to look cool just like for other people smoking cigarettes was the way to look cool, or it's used to increase social appearance just like cigarettes were used.

Coincidence for sure but I just saw a commercial for vaping. While they had a warning about containing nicotine and its addictive properties in the beginning of the commercial it was all cool, smooth, commercial and ended with "the perfect puff is here"

A friend of my son’s has a small vape that she uses for CBD. It helps with her anxiety No nicotine at all. Her’s is small and you wouldn’t even realize she has it except for the small amount of vape that comes out of it. It smells like mangos.

My sil successfully quit smoking using a larger one. Drove me crazy with the strong smelling pineapple or whatever but he slowly cut the nicotine and has now quit all of it. He was never a heavy smoker though. More of a almost “social smoker”.

So my point being there are some understandable uses for it but both of these people are adults. I wouldn’t want my teenager to start vaping.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

All rooms and packages are refundable within 30 days of someones trip. If someone booked a year ago, they can get their money back. So yes, technically with the slightly over 1 month notice, someone can cancel their trip, but by now, they would (or should!) have already purchased their flights, made their ADRs, FPs, special event tickets etc... not to mention tell their kids. I just think it would have affected a lot less people if they gave a 6 month notice. Then those probably not eyeball deep into the planning could have cancelled without too much financial loss.

We weren't talking about refunds Room only can get refunds within what 5 days of arriving?

You were talking about how planning amped up at the 6 month mark and I countered that was only for ADRs. ADRs don't require an onsite stay either. Nor tickets to be linked to someone's account.

I agree with you it sucks when curveballs are thrown and I've been vocal about changes before but you can't please everyone. If they gave 6 months then someone else would say you need to give 1 year, if someone said they should give 3 months someone else is going to say something else. Your initial comment was that they should have notified everyone in November of 2018 for this May 1st 2019 start date because they somehow knew exactly when Star Wars was going to be opening. I countered how would Disney know exactly when Star Wars was going to be opening up.

If this smoking inside the parks is that big of a deal no matter when they notify you, be it a month or 6 months, some people are going to find themselves in a sticky situation no matter what.

On a personal note not reflective of other people's opinions on the matter but if smoking outside the parks means you cancel your trip that your kids have been excited for (going based on your comment of telling the kids) I find that quite an unfortunate thing. But I concede YMMV.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Her’s is small and you wouldn’t even realize she has it except for the small amount of vape that comes out of it.

Yeah some of those are quite large.

My sil successfully quit smoking using a larger one. Drove me crazy with the strong smelling pineapple or whatever but he slowly cut the nicotine and has now quit all of it. He was never a heavy smoker though. More of a almost “social smoker”.

That's good to hear!

I know with my sister-in-law cost is a big factor. Right now she doesn't have health insurance so she cannot afford the patch without it. I think they switched to vaping for a little bit but it was too expensive in comparison to cigarettes so they switched back to cigarettes. They tried vaping to see if they could help quit smoking. I think nowadays she's also concerned about weight gain.

So my point being there are some understandable uses for it but both of these people are adults. I wouldn’t want my teenager to start vaping.

Personally I don't want anyone to vape, adult or teen, but that's just me.

Teens don't have to vape with nicotine nor do adults so it's not really once you turn 18 or the fact that someone is 25 or 45 it's acceptable to vape I just would prefer it not be so prevalent at all.

That being said it's not as if I'm against positive attributes of it, smoking cessation and use of CBD to ease pain and anxiety, it's really just the method I dislike. I will say there are less issues than say smoking cigarettes or weed (including baking with it) so there is that. I think in terms of behaviors there are inconsiderate vapers who blow it in your face, or walk carelessly with it just like cigarette smoke but I don't blame the device there it's the person doing it.

 

[PollyannaMom]

In Switzerland you can get medical methadone and herion at any amt up to a lethal dose every morning from a clinic and then go to your job. Crime has decreased enormously, parks and other public spaces are cleaner and safer and it costs less than they were spending before.

Yet I can't help thinking it sounds straight out of Brave New World.

 

[P'colaBeachBum]

Just out of curiosity I was looking at the prices per pack of cigarettes in different states. I was shocked to see they ranged from $4.30 to over $10 in NY. That is a big chunk of change out of pocket. There has been talk also that the Base Commissary's will stop selling smokes. That is good news!

Wonder if there will be more security in the parks after the roll out.

 

[robinb]

I encourage all smokers to use this Disney smoking change as a motivation to quit!

In the 70s, schools were educating about the risks of smoking. When my mother was pregnant with my sister in 1977 and I was a teenager, I begged her to quit for the sake of the baby and she did not. I knew then she would put smoking ahead of everything else in her life. And she did, until she literally had to be brought back to life multiple times because of her habit and can no longer get herself anywhere to buy her cigarettes. She used the same excuses about not knowing the risks when she started, true for her because she is 80. She knew the risks in 1977 though and like I told her then, as a CHILD, that is no excuse for continuing to do it.
Moreover, compared to the 70s, a lot more options exist today to help you quit....gum, lozenges, patches, inhalers, and RX medications.

Rather than boycotting Disney, use this as an opportunity to stop making excuses.
It is hard, but I have witnessed, both personally and professionally, many, many people do it.

If you can't find the motivation to do it for yourself, do it for your friends and family because they WILL suffer from your personal habit. I know that firsthand.

Biting your nails is a habit. Picking your nose is a habit. Snapping your gum is a habit. Swearing is a habit. Smoking is NOT a habit. It's an addiction. I think you're selling your mom short on her ability to overcome her addiction. Even with all the options available to people now it's still very, very difficult to overcome an addiction to nicotine. Some people, like your mom, never do.

 

[mummabear]

I think all drugs should be legal. There are excellent programs in Portugal and Switzerland where they have legalized all drugs and took the money they used to use to prosecute and jail drug addicts and put it into treatment and prevention programs. In Switzerland you can get medical methadone and herion at any amt up to a lethal dose every morning from a clinic and then go to your job. Crime has decreased enormously, parks and other public spaces are cleaner and safer and it costs less than they were spending before. Also the rate of drug addiction has decreased because when people decide they had enough they offer them treatment. Dax Shepard has a great experts on experts podcast about this. I highly recommend it.
But back to the topic at hand, I am glad they banned smoking in the parks. As a child of smokers I hate the smell and as a mother of a child with lung problems and a wife of a husband with asthma it makes it so much nicer for us. Like it or not smoke moves and when your a smoker you likely don’t notice it as much, but others do.

Not only that but when people use pure drugs it is safer as well, rather than drugs that have been developed to be in the grey area of the law.

Not sure but I'm guessing this was meant to say you're not happy to help addicts keep going? If so, you'd lose your mind in Calgary and Vancouver where we have publicly funded "safe shooting sites" and naloxone kits free for the asking from any fire hall but almost nothing in the way of meaningful, effective therapy/rehab. The futility (and expense!!) of these ridiculous so-called harm reduction strategies are mind-boggling. Interestingly though, I just asked a doctor-friend of ours that's involved in the project whether or not cigarettes are allowed in the facility and he said no. You can smoke crack and meth indoors under supervision but have to go outside to a DAS to smoke cigarettes or marijuana. Stop this crazy world and let me off.

Whoops yes I did, corrected now. Vancouver is my hometown, and it proves my point, look at how many ODs are there each week

 

[billlaurie]

Biting your nails is a habit. Picking your nose is a habit. Snapping your gum is a habit. Swearing is a habit. Smoking is NOT a habit. It's an addiction. I think you're selling your mom short on her ability to overcome her addiction. Even with all the options available to people now it's still very, very difficult to overcome an addiction to nicotine. Some people, like your mom, never do.

I agree with you that smoking is an addiction. It is also habitual. My mother did overcome her habit/addiction after 65 years, almost dying twice, and spending a year in a nursing home. She has a very poor quality of life, however, and needs help with all aspects of her life, which involves her family. She expresses regrets every day that she didn't stop sooner. The point is there are various ways to overcome nicotine addiction available to anyone with the gumption to do it. As a health care professional, I know it is possible. As a parent, and a child of someone with a nicotine addiction that has impacted my entire life, I think continuing to smoke may be your personal choice, but it is a selfish choice. Sooner or later others will suffer from it. If I have made some think about this from a different perspective and just ONE person quits, I consider that a success.

 

[Dan Murphy]

In Switzerland you can get medical methadone and herion at any amt up to a lethal dose every morning from a clinic and then go to your job.

And then go to your job?

 

[Colleen27]

I don't think we can make any assumptions about the WDW locations based on the DL information. The footprints are so different.

The location posted upthread wasn't about DL, unless there's a ferry at DL that I don't know about (never been there). The poster said a photo on the rumors board showed that the MK area was going to be to the side of the boat docks, on the water. That description doesn't fit anything at DLR, does it?

 

[Hrhpd]

Not everyone is told, younger people yes but 30-40 years ago you were not told that.

Not true. I started smoking in the 70's. I quit 2 years later because of the huge push about how bad it was for your health. I was WELL aware, as an 18 year old, of how bad it was for you. I made the stupid choice to start because I thought it would make me look cool and as it typical with dumb 18 year olds, I didn't think "I" could be affected.

 

[Hrhpd]

30 years ago when I started, the idea of smoking as a health-hazard was just starting to emerge (think about your Surgeon General's report in the late '80s). Although it wasn't encouraged, smoking was totally not presented as the huge, stupid risk we now know it to be. Certainly many people opposed it but mostly on moral or visceral grounds.

Maybe not in Canada, but in NJ it sure was in the 70's. I started then despite being bombarded with the health risks.

 

[cinnaminny]

I encourage every smoker to boycott Disney.

Me too! I think the ice people should also boycott...at least while I am there to cut down on the lines lol

 

[Hrhpd]

Worldwide it’s 20%. More than just the US visits Disney parks.

And growing smaller everyday. While Europe is a bit behind the US in their views of smoking, they are catching up quickly.

Yes it is your choice, a poor one. Accept the consequences.

I made a conscious choice to start smoking despite knowing the risks. Nobody stuffed a cigarette in my mouth and lit it and then continued to put them in my mouth until addiction took over. I agree whole completely it was a poor choice and that I need to accept the consequences. Even 40 years later I cringe when I have to check the box of "were you ever a smoker" at the doctor's office.

That is rude. To you it’s disgusting, your opinion!

Unfortunately the majority of the world and the majority is growing rapidly shares the opinion that it is disgusting.

Anyone who says they absolutely cannot quit is making excuses and setting themselves up for failure. Is is extremely difficult? YES. Will there be setbacks? YES. Can it be done? Absolutely YES. But it takes tons and tons of hard work. It usually cannot be done alone, you need help with rehab, counseling, or other methods.

Plenty of people kick addictions, be it drugs, alcohol, or cigarettes every day. You just have to want it bad enough. Saying it is impossible is an excuse.

 

[Colleen27]

I didnt say a year. I just think it should have been before someone 180 when plans really get into motion. Even if they didnt have an EXACT date, they knew it was going to open in 2019. In that case they could have said last June effective 01/01/19 no more smoking areas in the parks.

If they knew they wanted to do this effective 05/01, they should have announced it earlier. All Im saying it its a bit unfair to posket someones hard earned money and change an experience they thought they purchased. Although this is a smoking thread, same goes for the strollers. Im sure some purchased the wagons or larger strollers for their trip next month..two months from now and now they cant use them. Those things are expensive. Now it will mean they either have to push 2 strollers or pay extra to rent etc..

And it wouldn't even have to have been 180. But enough notice that most travelers wouldn't have non-refundable vacation components (not just rooms or packages but tickets to hard-ticket events and such) seems like the decent thing to do. And yeah, that's not just about smoking. It is also about the family who decided they can squeeze a Disney trip into the budget by packing in foods and now can no longer take ice in to keep those things cool (though at least ice packs are still allowed) and the family that now has to buy a new stroller on short notice, right before an expensive vacation, because the one they were planning on using doesn't meet the new rules.

I encourage all smokers to use this Disney smoking change as a motivation to quit!

That's just silly. Most of the smokers I know have tried to quit, most of them more than once or twice. I'd really wonder about my husband if *Disney* was motivation enough to quit, when three kids and a wife weren't, when losing a cousin who was more like a brother to lung cancer wasn't, etc. I know most of us on this board have an emotional attachment to the Disney brand and/or parks, but it is still just a vacation destination.

 

[luvsJack]

Just out of curiosity I was looking at the prices per pack of cigarettes in different states. I was shocked to see they ranged from $4.30 to over $10 in NY. That is a big chunk of change out of pocket. There has been talk also that the Base Commissary's will stop selling smokes. That is good news!

Wonder if there will be more security in the parks after the roll out.

Funny that they may make that decision when it was the military that handed them out for free for many many years. My dad started smoking in the Air Force.

 

[P'colaBeachBum]

Funny that they may make that decision when it was the military that handed them out for free for many many years. My dad started smoking in the Air Force.

Yeah, my DF/USMC and a smoker ( later quit cold turkey), would bring home "c" rations and they had a pack of 4 cigarettes in them. He passed away at the age 0f 86 5 years ago. His Dad and Brother both died of lung cancer.