Non-Smokers

[JanaDee]

I can't recall a day in any park at Disney in any trip I've taken where I didn't see at least half a dozen smokers puffing away in a non designated area.

Yup, same here. On every trip, I've seen numerous people every day walking around smoking.

People think they are outside so they can smoke wherever they want to.

 

[designedfordisney]

As somebody who has watched two family members die from passive smoking I really think it's time disney parks ban all smoking from their parks worldwide, although that would never work in paris. Then there wouldn't be this issue.

 

[MrsDuck]

I think they are saying to not sit in a DSA and then complain about the smoke. That is a pretty silly thing to do. Not to mention it doesn't do one bit of good, and just makes the complainer look like a jerk.

I don't smoke but that doesn't mean I get to run around being a jerk to those who do. A little respect and understanding goes a long way.

Yes! Thank you!

I understand the intent of the original post and agree that you shouldn't complain about smokers if you're sitting in the DSA. That makes logical sense! My issue is: I don't like DSA period. It's unfortunate Disney won't ban smoking entirely but I understand what it is for some people.

I also don't think that creating a thread complaining about complaining is productive but that would probably mean eliminating half of the DIS...

 

[Myalyas]

We're trying to stay on topic which is the DSA's being for smokers. Thanks

 

[JanaDee]

DSA's are one of the few places that have benches/seating left, so don't be surprised to see non-smokers sitting there.

 

[kmb584]

While I don't agree that nonsmokers should be barred from sitting in smoking sections entirely, if they are aware that it's a smoking section they should not complain to the smokers about the smoke in the smoking section. Smokers who are indulging in a smoke while inside a DSA are following the rules. It's not the smokers' fault if nonsmokers don't like the rules.

about the nonsmoker sitting in the smoking area and then asking smokers to move because she couldn't be around smoke...even though she knew she was in a designated smoking area, because she was waiting for her friend to finish smoking. If she's aware that it's a smoking area, then she should move, not the smokers. If she wants shade she can go into the store and her friend can let her know when they finish smoking.

I'd think those who have a problem with the fact that there are smokers in a designated smoking area should go right down to Guest Services and complain about the smoking section if they want it moved or they just want the sections banned.

I almost suggested that she should be the one to move but kept my mouth shut. I didn't want to make it even more of a scene (she was carrying on pretty loudly about not being able to tolerate smoke).

 

[nkereina]

I can't believe DSA's in WDW even still exist. The banning of smoking is one thing New York State has gotten right.

 

[kmb584]

I can't recall a day in any park at Disney in any trip I've taken where I didn't see at least half a dozen smokers puffing away in a non designated area.

Maybe I'm immune to it because I do smoke but it's rare that I see someone smoking outside of a DSA (I do see it quite a bit in the parking lots though). I see a lot of people using the e-cig.

 

[mrsbicewdw]

I can't believe DSA's in WDW even still exist. The banning of smoking is one thing New York State has gotten right.

Agreed. And a for people smoking outside the DSAs...it was the #1 issue my friends who worked in the parks dealt with on a daily basis and hated how some people treated them for enforcing the rules. Even in my work (at the resorts) we frequently had to remind people to follow the rules and even had to shut down rooms for rehabs pretty often for smoking inside the rooms.

And if I walk past a DSA and cough...it's not passive aggressive. I just can't help it. My throat begins to close almost immediately and my eyes water, etc.

 

[maxiesmom]

I can't believe DSA's in WDW even still exist. The banning of smoking is one thing New York State has gotten right.

Probably because the rest of the world isn't all as anti-cigarette as we are. They don't want to totally chase away their international customers. Not to mention, I know a few people who do still smoke, and would not vacation someplace where there was no way at all to smoke.

I have no problem with Disney having a few DSAs. The placement may not be all that great on some of them, but most of them are easy enough to avoid if need be.

I also want to note that I have asthma, and have never had a reaction at WDW due to second hand cigarette smoke. The one thing that has set me off is the smoke from the fireworks. Maybe those of you who are behind banning all smoke should start clamoring for the fireworks to be stopped too.

 

[mrsbicewdw]

Probably because the rest of the world isn't all as anti-cigarette as we are. They don't want to totally chase away their international customers. Not to mention, I know a few people who do still smoke, and would not vacation someplace where there was no way at all to smoke. I have no problem with Disney having a few DSAs. The placement may not be all that great on some of them, but most of them are easy enough to avoid if need be. I also want to note that I have asthma, and have never had a reaction at WDW due to second hand cigarette smoke. The one thing that has set me off is the smoke from the fireworks. Maybe those of you who are behind banning all smoke should start clamoring for the fireworks to be stopped too.

Actually I stay away from the "downwind" of fireworks because of this. Lol. Especially illuminations since it is right there at ground level for the most part.

 

[gonnago]

I also am a reformed smoker who believes that there should be DSA's so people who do smoke will have a place to do so but know that not all people obey the rules, I always only smoked in a DSA anywhere not just while at Disney.But this subject reminded me of the time I was at Epcot in a DSA sitting and waiting to watch Illuminations when a mother with young children came along and told her family that that was a good spot because she could stand her children on the wall so they could see and then proceeded to complain that she couldn't believe that people were smoking with children present I bit my tongue for the first few minutes but after her ranting nonstop for about 5 minutes I spoke up and said politely Ma'am I don't know if you are aware of the fact that you are in a DSA but you are and we are following the rules by being in a designated area she said she was aware but just thought we would be considerate and not smoke while children were present.Again I POLITELY said being considerate works both ways and we were following the rules.She remained in the area but never made any more comments.Seriously I could of staked out a better viewing area but I choose to sit in a DSA for a reason and felt no need to take a tongue lashing for following the rules.

However I do agree with the bad placement of DSA's and never utilized them myself because I was trying to be considerate of others and that included the one at Pop that was right outside the doors of the main building where people had to walk by(I understand they have moved the DSA to the other end now)I just went to the DSA at a bench by the lake but even then I got dirty looks and rude comments by people walking/jogging past me even though I was considerate enough to not blow smoke while they were in the area and held my cigarette down until they passed.

As a PP said smokers are looked upon as second class citizens by some and that will never change.I personally do not drink alcoholic beverages while at the parks but would never expect Disney to ban such beverages at their parks like they do at the MK because everyone has the right to make their own choices as to what they want to do as long as they follow the rules.

 

[robinb]

If a non-smoker wants to sit in a DSA that's up to them.

 

[MarineVet]

Hubby and I were there last week, and we had taken our Dole Whips to sit on a rock wall around a tree, just outside the entrance to Adventureland. As we rested in the shade, we watched a man stroll up, puffing on his cigarette (we were not in a smoking area). He took one last drag, then stubbed the cigarette out on the outside of the garbage can, but we could see it was not completely out before he put it into the garbage!! I kept expecting the garbage to catch fire!! We told the nearest CM that she might want to keep an eye on that can for a while......

 

[gonnago]

If a non-smoker wants to sit in a DSA that's up to them.

Totally agree they have a right to sit anywhere they want but do not have a right to tell people they cannot smoke in the DSA while they are present.

 

[Mome Rath]

As a PP said smokers are looked upon as second class citizens by some and that will never change.

I'm a non-smoker who never realized how true this is, until I became really close friends with a smoker. What has made it worse is the restrictions they are placing on e-cigs, as much of this could be avoided if they would allow the e-cigs to be used openly in the parks. I'm all for restricting actual smoking to certain areas, but those areas should not be uncomfortable, they should be well marked, and not placed right out in the full blazing Florida sun. Smoking cigarettes is still legal, and smokers are still humans. Smokers should respect non-smokers, and non-smokers should respect smokers, and by that I'm referring to each person's rights. I'm also for Disney's right to dictate if they want to allow smoking in their parks or not, and for people to either go there or not based on that.

Smokers are indeed looked down on, and often judged simply because they are smokers.

 

[Disneylovingdad]

I smoke now and am working on stopping. I always go out of my way to be as courteous as possible. If you see people smoking outside the DSA's now, and I have twice in my last 4 trips, what do those of you who want to see Disney ban smoking all together think will happen? Because I can guarantee not every smoker will not smoke and people will do it all over, a lot more than they do now. Or attendance will drop a bit and Disney definitely doesn't want that. So be prepared for that reality. Unless Disney ejects people for it, it will happen. It would most likely, for me at least, add another reason for me to quit (not that I need another).

I agree that some of the DSA's need to be moved. I only smoke in the DSA's and only ever will. Also, like a PP said, I do not use the one along side the castle. That is the most ridiculous location they have, IMO. I have gotten looks before being in the DSA'S but never had anyone say anything that I could hear. If you are in a DSA, there will be smoke and sorry, but you have no right to complain. If you smell it walking by one, you do have a right to complain to guest services. For me, it's that simple.

On our recent Disney cruise, my wife left the main deck and walked up to the DSA on deck 13. One of only 2 on the entire ship. This was about 20 minutes before the pirates fireworks show. The area was crowded with some smokers and mainly people looking for a good view of the fireworks. So, she sits down and starts smoking. A woman next to her says rather nastily, " don't smoke next to me, it bothers me". My wife responded "sorry but I figured since you were in the smoking area, it wouldn't". The woman says "well it does and you need to move". My wife responded "no, sorry, this is one of two areas on the whole ship and there is nowhere in it to move to or I will be outside the area". The woman then moved the table to the other side of my wife so it was three feet further away from her. My wife just let it go without further comment. I don't get that type of thought process. You CHOOSE to sit in a DSA, which has people already smoking in it, then become indignant when someone smokes too close to you? Sorry, but that is completely absurd.

 

[Cyrano]

Folks please keep the thread on topic. The debate about the rights and wrongs of smoking, whether you are a non-smoker, the reformed or a chain smoker is not relevant to this board

 

[Mome Rath]

I smoke now and am working on stopping. I always go out of my way to be as courteous as possible. If you see people smoking outside the DSA's now, and I have twice in my last 4 trips, what do those of you who want to see Disney ban smoking all together think will happen? Because I can guarantee not every smoker will not smoke and people will do it all over, a lot more than they do now. Or attendance will drop a bit and Disney definitely doesn't want that. So be prepared for that reality. Unless Disney ejects people for it, it will happen. It would most likely, for me at least, add another reason for me to quit (not that I need another).

I agree that some of the DSA's need to be moved. I only smoke in the DSA's and only ever will. Also, like a PP said, I do not use the one along side the castle. That is the most ridiculous location they have, IMO. I have gotten looks before being in the DSA'S but never had anyone say anything that I could hear. If you are in a DSA, there will be smoke and sorry, but you have no right to complain. If you smell it walking by one, you do have a right to complain to guest services. For me, it's that simple.

On our recent Disney cruise, my wife left the main deck and walked up to the DSA on deck 13. One of only 2 on the entire ship. This was about 20 minutes before the pirates fireworks show. The area was crowded with some smokers and mainly people looking for a good view of the fireworks. So, she sits down and starts smoking. A woman next to her says rather nastily, " don't smoke next to me, it bothers me". My wife responded "sorry but I figured since you were in the smoking area, it wouldn't". The woman says "well it does and you need to move". My wife responded "no, sorry, this is one of two areas on the whole ship and there is nowhere in it to move to or I will be outside the area". The woman then moved the table to the other side of my wife so it was three feet further away from her. My wife just let it go without further comment. I don't get that type of thought process. You CHOOSE to sit in a DSA, which has people already smoking in it, then become indignant when someone smokes too close to you? Sorry, but that is completely absurd.

I've witnessed similar things happening in DSA's in the MK when "Wishes" starts. I guess I look at it like a contractual thing; when a smoker purchases a ticket to the parks, it is an agreement to only smoke in the DSA's, and that they have a right to smoke there. It's always strange to me when non-smokers get mad at smokers when the smokers are indeed within the DSA.

I understand getting annoyed with Disney, but why the annoyance to someone smoking within the correct area? They paid their money to get into the park just like a non-smoker.

 

[olwyngdh]

As somebody who has watched two family members die from passive smoking I really think it's time disney parks ban all smoking from their parks worldwide, although that would never work in paris. Then there wouldn't be this issue.

As long as you ban perfumes, non healthy foods, all allergens....sorry, just because you don't like something does net give you the right to ban it. Stay out of the smoking areas and I will stay out of the perfume shops and the English garden, and carry my epi pen.