Smoking in the parks

[wilderness01]

I also wish they would ban smoking in the parks. I understand maybe it would be "unfair" to smokers but no more so than it being unfair in non-smoking restaurants. The problem I have with it is that the smell sets off asthma attacks in my kids and I when we are in direct contact with a smoker. I have seen a CM in the AK go directly up to a person and ask him to put out his cig as it was not a designated smoking area. We went with some friends and my friend constantly was lighting up whereever, taking a drag or two and putting it out. Made it very hard for the kids and I. We had to take extra medication to "handle" the day without any extra problems. Not fair because of someone's habit. Before I get flamed here, I used to smoke and was always very considerate. I would go outside by myself, even when they allowed smoking indoors. Yes, I still smelled like smoke I suppose but at least I didn't make any of my friends inhale what I choose to inhale directly. Just my opinion.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by jaysue
Nope, not at all - their smoking impacts other people's health directly

Not if they stay in the designated areas. Then the person who goes into that area impacts their own health.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Not all smokers are inconsiderate, not all non smokers are inconsiderate, there are inconsiderate and considerate on both sides.
The restaurant analogy, IMHO, really does not hold water. The parks are outside, restaurants are inside. HUGE difference.
As a smoker, I thought the designated areas were a fantastic idea and for a short time it was heavily enforced. But, like all rules at Disney, it is falling through the cracks.
I do smoke in the designated areas, and find it totally amusing that non smokers walk through there and give us attitude.
What is up with that?
Litter? Cigarette butts are not the only things littering the grounds. There are trash cans every ten feet or so yet, you see people dropping whatever is in their hands anywhere they want to. In the past few years I have seen more and more of this.
I personally would rather walk over 100 cig. butts than one discarded or spit out piece of gum. That is a nasty thing to get on your shoe.
I feel bad for any kid with asthma but I also know that smoke is not the only trigger for this health problem. If you know your child is asthmatic, I am sure you factor in all the triggers and are aware that people smoke in the parks. I feel it is silly to ban smoking in the parks because people break the rules or because some children or adults have health problems that are triggered by outside smoke, most especialy when they are aware that smokers are going to be in the park.
I have allergies to some perfumes, it literally causes me to not be able to breath. I know that some people will wear those types of perfumes at the park, I do with the full knowledge that I might have a problem. I deal with it and move away from the problem before it seriously effects me. Do I want a perfume free park or a designated perfume area, ah, no, I sure don't.
I think it awful that people smoke in the lines (this has been forbidden for longer than the designated smoking areas have been in place) or during the parades. IMHO, there is no reason or excuse for this. It is dangerous and terribly rude.

lfontaine, no one is forcing you to do anything. You choose to do that and to take time out of your vacation. Just ignore it and go on you way and enjoy your vacation.

I doubt Disney will ever make the parks smoke free, the loss of income would be huge. I could, however, see the MK being smoke free. There are just way too many children there that can be hurt.

 

[mikifan]

Well...I think obese people should be banned from the parks too, they are killing themselves, they spill over into my chair all the time, sweat like crazy & usually go too slow!

Then..hmm..let's ban all of the perfume wearers..I know many people that bothers.

We could go on & on with this...


Mrs. mikifan

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by mikifan
Well...I think obese people should be banned from the parks too, they are killing themselves, they spill over into my chair all the time, sweat like crazy & usually go too slow!

Then..hmm..let's ban all of the perfume wearers..I know many people that bothers.

We could go on & on with this...


Mrs. mikifan

Gum chewers too, and don't forget the folks that feed the birds among other diners, that can be very dangerous to others.

 

[wilderness01]

Yes I am aware that there are more triggers to certain forms of asthma than smoke. It just happens that smoke and illness are my family's triggers. When we are sick we don't go to the park period. We also do not go by the smoking designated areas. Yes it is rude that all people do not follow the rules and stay within these areas. That is what I was talking about. Why should we (and we do) move away from an area because someone is rudely smoking not in the proper area? Like I stated, I used to smoke and was very considerate of MY habit. A smoke trigger to me might be the same as a perfume trigger to you. The MAIN difference is that people smoke all over the place. How many people spray perfume all over the place, except maybe in the restrooms? And at that no one should be spraying anything anywhere. I guess the same argument should be said of not eating peanuts on a plane due to peanut allergies. It is consideration and not all people have it. Kudos to you that you are considerate (and so was I when I smoked) but more people than not are not and that is where the problem lies.

 

[C.Ann]

You're fighting a losing battle here.. Smokers could follow the rules to a tee and the non-smokers still would not be satisfied..

It's not about breaking rules - it's about wanting the parks to be totally non-smoking period..

And I agree - Disney will never do it because of the huge loss of income.. Not only would they lose customers (ie $$) from people here in the states, but there are foreigners who visit from all over the world who are not as fanatical about the smoking issue as U.S. citizens are..

As long as people follow the rules, I have no problem with smoking being allowed in the parks at all...

 

[FatCow]

there are foreigners who visit from all over the world who are not as fanatical about the smoking issue as U.S. citizens are..

And there are countries who are A LOT more fanatical about smoking issues AND discipline in following the rules and regulations than us too. Take for example Singapore and Australia.

 

[C.Ann]

Originally posted by FatCow
And there are countries who are A LOT more fanatical about smoking issues AND discipline in following the rules and regulations than us too. Take for example Singapore and Australia.

-------------------------------------------------

Great! Then maybe the visitors from Singapore & Australia can police the folks who are smoking in non-smoking areas - and compliment the smokers who DO follow the rules..

 

[FatCow]

 

[EsmeraldaX]

Originally posted by C.Ann
You're fighting a losing battle here.. Smokers could follow the rules to a tee and the non-smokers still would not be satisfied..

It's not about breaking rules - it's about wanting the parks to be totally non-smoking period..

And I agree - Disney will never do it because of the huge loss of income.. Not only would they lose customers (ie $$) from people here in the states, but there are foreigners who visit from all over the world who are not as fanatical about the smoking issue as U.S. citizens are..

As long as people follow the rules, I have no problem with smoking being allowed in the parks at all...

Ditto.

 

[fam4jc]

I've been trying to quite for a couple of months... I don't smoke around my kids or anyone elses. I am embarassed that i am still adicted even knowing all the damage being done to my body.

The fact of the matter is that most people who smoke openly in public are so adicted that it becomes overwhelming. I wouldn't approach a smoker breaking the rules, they are usually "dying" for one. I would suggest getting a cast member, espcially if the smoke is around children. If that cast member won't do anything, get another.

I agree that everyone has paid a great deal for the WDW experience, but smokers DO NOT have the right to smoke any place they want in WDW or otherewise. Second hand smoke is deadly, no debate.

Those of you who pray to the God of Abraham, Issac and Jacob, please pray for me to be able to quite!

 

[FatCow]

Good luck on your attempt to quit. My father-in-law, my grandfather and myself quit cold turkey and never looked back.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

I agree that everyone has paid a great deal for the WDW experience, but smokers DO NOT have the right to smoke any place they want in WDW or otherewise. Second hand smoke is deadly, no debate.

Second hand smoke outside is not deadly, inside it can be.
That is one I will debate with you, but, not here.
I do wish you luck in quitting. I tried, but, failed and there was almost a body count to go with that week.

 

[PKK/MJK]

So far no one has mentioned the affects of all that smoke on the CM's who have asthma and other breathing problems--and many of them do. My DD is a CM--a face character--and she has smoke induced asthma. You'd be surprised how many times she has been assigned to do Meet and Greets in-- or very close to-- smoking areas. YES--Disney knows she has asthma--but it happens anyway. I would ask all of you smokers to be VERY careful around the fur and face characters. There is no way of knowing if they have a problem and they dont have the freedom to run away when they see you coming. If you see a character close to where you are smoking--PLEASE don't blow smoke at them. No wants to see Donald or Snow White having an asthma attack in front of the children!!!!!!!

 

[Baloo]

This thread is being closed as it has turned into a debate and no longer adding any information to do with "trip planning".If y'all wish to continue this debate feel free on the designated board.

Here's a link to the DIS Debate board...have at it over there!
http://disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?forumid=49