Smoking at the resort pools

[married2grumpy]

wdwdvcdad-

What big fuss? Calling the front desk to verify the smoking policy? Asking the question of the lifeguard? I guess your idea of a big fuss and my idea of a big fuss are 2 different things. I didn't say I was being attacked. Thanks for your response.

 

[Disney's Deluxe Princess]

Originally posted by married2grumpy
I was surprised to find out that smoking was allowed at the resort pools. I just assumed that it wasn't.

Some people had sat down in the chairs next to me. No big deal until I smelled cigarette smoke. I could not believe the nerve of this person to be smoking like that at the pool right in their lounge chair. I kindly leaned over and asked if they should be smoking in that area. I was ignored. I asked again a little louder and was just given a dirty look. Just then a life guard was walking by and I said out loud, "Let's ask him if you should be smoking here." So I asked if smoking was allowed at the pool and was told yes!

I don't smoke, but I do realize that if smoking is permitted in an area, I can't complain about it. I can get up and move to another area. From your post, you admitted that you thought smoking was not allowed. So, your "polite" asking of the smoker if she should be smoking there really wasn't polite at all. You thought she was breaking the rules and you wanted her to know it. People should mind their own business until they have all the facts straight.

 

[dg39]

I am a smoker who does abide by the rules. While we were at disney in July, I noticed many people smoking in the parks, just walking around, not in the designated areas. It bothered me to see that. I even mentioned it to my dh saying that even though I am a smoker, a cm should approach them and tell them to smoke at the designated areas. I'm a big smoker too, but if I feel the urge for a cigarette, I find the area where its allowed. I was surprised to see how many smokers just walked around the parks like it was the right thing to do. But, if I'm at the pool area of my resort, I try to look for a spot where there isn't anyone around me to sit. I'm not a swimmer, but I go to the pool to lounge and read my book. I enjoy a drink, a good book and a cigarette. If no one is by me, whether an adult or a child, I do smoke. I usually always have a cigarette in my hand so if someone wants to sit next to me, they know I smoke and its their choice if they want to sit there or not. Theres not many of "us" smokers around so chances are that you are going to be in a more or less smoke free enviorment. The resorts do supply ashtrays, there usually near the trash cans. If someone would approach me and ask me to not smoke and there were no other chairs for them to sit in, yes, I would put it out. But if there were other chairs empty, then they should sit somewhere else. I always ask a lifeguard or pool waiter/waitress if smoking is allowed. If they say yes, then I smoke. So far smoking is allowed outside. Theres not many places left for us smokers to have a cigarette. Its a nasty habit, I agree with that, but if it were easy to quit, the marjority of us would. We're not mean, misesrable people, we're smokers. If the smoke bothers anyone just ask us nicely and we'll put the cigarette out. Theres no reason to get nasty in "telling" us to stop smoking, that only causes a problem. Remember we all go on vacation to have a goodtime and enjoy ourselves.

 

[Tigger Woods]

Originally posted by DMRick

Most campgrounds where we camp and swim do not allow smoking near the pool.

Be sure to stay away from the campfire. .. Lots and lots of smoke ..

 

[wdwdvcdad]

You asked me for a response. This is not an attack, but an explanation:

What big fuss?

Well, from the following excerpt, I'm sure that the person you asked about smoking was taken aback by your attitude. After they didn't answer you the 1st time, I'm sure they felt that they didn't owe you an explanation when they were breaking no rules. For you to ask them again, when you knew they were annoyed by you, was you looking for a problem. Smokers get unfairly bashed all of the time, and I am sure that they don't want it on their vacation. The "Let's ask him" part was like saying "Boy, oh boy, I'll show you". After you were told, I feel you should have appologized for bothering them. Since you were so mad you were shaking, yes, you overreacted. Just look at it from the other peoples' perspective. They were relaxing, breaking no rules. You were annoyed and they didn't want the confrontation, but it wasnb't enough for you. Hope that helps explain my position. You can PM me if you want to discuss it further.

I could not believe the nerve of this person to be smoking like that at the pool right in their lounge chair. I kindly leaned over and asked if they should be smoking in that area. I was ignored. I asked again a little louder and was just given a dirty look. Just then a life guard was walking by and I said out loud, "Let's ask him if you should be smoking here." So I asked if smoking was allowed at the pool and was told yes! Imagine my astonishment. Then the person in the lounge chair finally found her voice and said if I don't like it there are plenty of other chairs I can sit in. I had been in that chair for over an hour and had to move myself and my 3 kids to a different area to avoid her second hand smoke. I was so mad I was shaking.

 

[Kimberle]

Thanks, Married2grumpy for the info. I thought smoking was only allowed at WDW in the smoking areas. Kindof seems strange that they allow it anywhere in the resorts outside, but not anywhere in the parks outside. Outside is outside.

Guess when I go down to the pool area at 5am to "reserve" my chairs, I'll have to make sure I "reserve a circle of chairs around me. (wink)

 

[MOMTOMOOTOO]

I am also a non smoker, however, I must side with the smokers on this issue. You were outside, there were ashtrays around, what did you think they were for? It does sound as if you came across pretty strong the first time. I have yet to encounter a smoker, that when asked politely, didn't oblige. I feel the smoker has every right to smoke when its within the "designated"area. Now if the entire pool area is "designated" than it is up to you the non smoker to move if its that offensive to you.

We just returned from CSR and I did find an extordinary amount of smokers. However, if my kids were in the way of smoke, I MOVED. I wouldn't think it all the repsonsibilty of the smoker especially when its a smoking area.

 

[Tinkbell]

I'm also a non-smoker. When I'm in a smoking area, if I have a problem with too much smoke, I move. Also, if smoking was not allowed and the person next to me lit up and I was bothered by it, I would go over to the lifeguard or a CM and let them handle it. I don' want any tension between myself and guests on a vacation.

 

[pnelson]

Well, my husband is a cigar smoker and has always had one at the pools with a drink. I think your approach would have irritated him, the "should" you be doing that attitude. It's difficult if you don't want smoke around your children-they are going to encounter it at some point in their life. I'm not sure why you were so mad you were "shaking".

 

[married2grumpy]

When I started this thread it was to inform people on the smoking rules at pool resorts. It was not to ask how a person should handle a situation. I didn't ask for any advice on how to ask a smoker to not smoke. I didn't ask if I was right. I was angry after I found out smoking was allowed, not at the smoker but at Disney. I was shaking mad because this caused me to move my family of 5 to new chairs due to 1 inconsiderate smoker. I always shake when I'm mad. I usually can't even argue with someone because my voice quivers when I'm angry. Why do I need to explain this to anyone. Do I have a right to be annoyed, sure. Did I think she should be smoking, no. By asking her if she should be, I was hoping she knew she shouldn't and would stop. By asking the lifeguard maybe I was looking for a "told you so". Did I ask her rudely, no. Did I owe her an apology, probably, but she quickly made sure to advise me that I could move my chair and family elsewhere. At that point, I did not offer an apology. I can't believe I find myself defending how I handled a certain situation. If anyone would like to continue schooling me on how to be more polite, please do it in a PM. Thank you.

 

[Mrs. Snowgod]

I'd like to thank the OP for bringing this up. Given that designated smoking areas are the only place to smoke in the parks, I would expect there to also be designated smoking areas at the pools in the resorts. There is a need for this, since if smoking is allowed everywhere at the pool, the result is potentially no smoke-free area. Furthermore, smoking in the outside area at the AKL is very restricted for the benefit of the animals. That is certainly appropriate, but doing the same for the rest of us is, too.

It seems to me that some posters in this thread aren't showing the OP the same courtesy she is accused of failing to show the smoker. Just as smoking was not prohibited, speaking was not prohibited, either, and the smoker could have said as few as 2 words, "it's allowed", rather than ignoring her.

So, thanks, married2grumpy, I appreciate your sharing this incident, and I sympathize with you for getting frustrated with both the original experience *and* the reactions you are getting from some folks here, too.

 

[Tigger Woods]

Originally posted by Mrs. Snowgod

Just as smoking was not prohibited, speaking was not prohibited, either, and the smoker could have said as few as 2 words, "it's allowed", rather than ignoring her.

Perhaps if the OP had said "it's allowed" in her post, and left it that, no one would have responded negatively. Her biased and lengthy diatribe is hard to ignore.

 

[The Edge]

Thanks for the tip, married2grumpy! I always just assumed that smoking was not allowed at the pools, so I refrained from it. I just love a good cigar poolside. Now, I know I can enjoy one.

 

[LvsTnk]

Originally posted by Flibbity
I am a non-smoker, but my husband smokes outdoors. I am actually surprised, like the OP, that the pool doesn't have a designated smoking section.

Florida has enacted strict rules over the last year regarding smoking in public places (e.g. no smoking in restaurants).

I would think Disney would create a smoking acceptable section by their pools.

It would seem this would make both parties happy. Those that are allergic or sensitive to smoke could avoid the area, and those that want to smoke by the pool still could.

Maybe someone should recommend this to disney?

Just a thought

Personally, I prefer to move, but I suppose it's like most matters if Disney got enough e-mails about it they would provide a smoking area.

 

[Tigger Woods]

Originally posted by Mrs. Snowgod
Furthermore, smoking in the outside area at the AKL is very restricted for the benefit of the animals. That is certainly appropriate, but doing the same for the rest of us is, too.

Smoking is restricted only because there's a chance an animal may ingest a cigarette filter. There are similar restrictions for those who like to litter. One could argue that a whiff of cigarette smoke may be preferable to a whiff of elephant dung at AKL..

 

[DMRick]

Be sure to stay away from the campfire. .. Lots and lots of smoke ..

I get to choose if I want to sit by a campfire..however while watching kids swim at the pool I dont' get the same choices at Disney..and I prefer to stay away from the smoking...and appreciate a choice. There is usually a set up in one area outside most pools (in campgrounds) so smokers can still watch their kids..or if smoking is allowed inside, it it again, usually in one area.

A wood fire, by the way, doesn't have the same carcinogens that tobacco smoke has. My mom died of lung cancer, and my dad had throat cancer, and it wasn't from smelling the wood smoke for the years we camped..or at least I haven't seen any studies to suggest that.

Those of you who indicated you try to be considerate..thank you!

 

[LvsTnk]

Originally posted by Tigger Woods
Smoking is restricted only because there's a chance an animal may ingest a cigarette filter. There are similar restrictions for those who like to litter. One could argue that a whiff of cigarette smoke may be preferable to a whiff of elephant dung at AKL..

Sorry, no elephants at AKL you will have to settle for cigar/cigarette smoke.

 

[ShaneV]

Tigger Woods
Surely you can admit there is a difference in content of cigarette smoke and fireworks, campfire,etc.

 

[thessaly]

Non-smoker here. Allergic to cigarette smoke, too; enough second-hand contact sends me into coughing fits.

I still the the OP was rude.

Why? I think it boils down to this: Your opening shot was "Should you be doing that." i.e., you came across as trying to police someone else's actions on the basis of what you *thought* were the rules.

But it turned out you were wrong, and suddenly you didn't care about the rules anymore, you wanted the person (who now had the rules on *their* side) to defer to you anyway, rules be darned. So why use the rules as the foundation for your argument if you thought the person should move either way?

If you wanted them to move whether or not the rules were in your favor, you should have opened with that politely. "Your cigarette smoke bothers me a lot, would you possibly be able to move? Otherwise I will, if it's too much trouble."

Instead you opened with "Neener neener, you're breaking the rules." And then you still wanted things your way when it turned out you were wrong. No offense, but I would have refused to move too.

 

[Lewisc]

Originally posted by Tigger Woods
Perhaps if the OP had said "it's allowed" in her post, and left it that, no one would have responded negatively. Her biased and lengthy diatribe is hard to ignore.

BINGO We have a winner.