Smoking is gradually disappearing at DL :-).

[robinb]

I was at DL earlier this month and I saw a lot of vaping everywhere. I think the cigarette is being replaced by e-cigs, especially in public so Disney doesn't need as many smoking areas. While some vapers do follow the rules, I would say most do not. I see way more vaping "on the sly" in Disney parks and elsewhere than I ever saw people sneaking a cigarette.

 

[skyblue17]

It seems like vaping by design is on the sly! I don't think I've ever been in public and just seen someone vaping, they're always sneaking it somehow, somewhere.

 

[robinb]

It seems like vaping by design is on the sly! I don't think I've ever been in public and just seen someone vaping, they're always sneaking it somehow, somewhere.

Really? You've never seen anyone vaping in public? Much to my chagrin, my DD vapes so maybe I'm just more attuned to it. Sometimes I don't see people actually take a hit (or what ever it's called) but I see the exhaled vapor. OTOH, vaping can be so inconspicuous that middle schoolers are doing it in class and the teacher doesn't even see it.

 

[MagicalMicycles]

I'm happy about this if only to have an effort to keep weed out of the parks. I know the tobacco is bad, if not, worse than pot but I will admit, I do kind of enjoy the smell of tobacco. That doesn't mean I want it anywhere in the park, though. Hopefully Disney also enforces the rule on e-cigs and vapes.

 

[ExcitedMama]

I really don’t understand how they still have the smoking area next to BTMRR. It is right in the middle of the walkway so you are forced to go through it unless you plan ahead and go the longer way. Which a casual tourist wouldn’t even know about. When went a couple of weeks ago DD needed a bathroom break while we were about to FP BTMRR so we started walking toward a bathroom sign, until I realized it took us into the smoking section. She and I both have asthma and can’t handle the smoke. I wonder if SW will be the reason it finally moves. I hope they get rid of them altogether or at least put it in the middle of nowhere somewhere.

 

[skyblue17]

Really? You've never seen anyone vaping in public? Much to my chagrin, my DD vapes so maybe I'm just more attuned to it. Sometimes I don't see people actually take a hit (or what ever it's called) but I see the exhaled vapor. OTOH, vaping can be so inconspicuous that middle schoolers are doing it in class and the teacher doesn't even see it.

I live in NYC, so I've been stuck behind people who are vaping as they walk (thanks so much for that, people) but I usually only notice vaping in public areas (where people aren't mobile) when they kind of quickly lift it to their lips and then sneak it back down. Probably because I'm never actually in smoking areas, so anyone who IS doing it is doing it where they aren't supposed to be.

 

[KPeterso]

I would love them to make the parks completely smoke/vape free, but I am not sure how they will enforce. There are plenty of people who smoke outside the designated areas, and even more who vape outside those areas. I have seen vaping in lines and even on inside lines. I have also heard vapers who do not want to go to the designated areas because they also do not like the smell of cigarettes. I really hope that the areas are gone soon, especially the one by Big Thunder that we will all have to walk past to go to Galaxy's edge.

 

[Niltiac]

I really don’t understand how they still have the smoking area next to BTMRR. It is right in the middle of the walkway so you are forced to go through it unless you plan ahead and go the longer way. Which a casual tourist wouldn’t even know about. When went a couple of weeks ago DD needed a bathroom break while we were about to FP BTMRR so we started walking toward a bathroom sign, until I realized it took us into the smoking section. She and I both have asthma and can’t handle the smoke. I wonder if SW will be the reason it finally moves. I hope they get rid of them altogether or at least put it in the middle of nowhere somewhere.

My partner has asthma and I can't count the number of times we have started down a path only to remember when the smell hits us that it goes past a smoking area. Then we have to stop and decide, based on how her symptoms are doing and how big a hurry we're in, whether we should turn around and go the long way or just fast-walk past the area.

So this will be a good change for us, I just hope that the designated smoking area isn't too difficult to get to - both for the sake of the smokers and because if it's too big of an inconvenience it will be difficult to enforce, and the last thing I want is to have people sneaking smokes in random corners of the park where you aren't expecting it.

 

[Spacepest]

LOL like this is going to stop determined smokers or marijuana users and keep them out of the parks. Has no one heard of edibles, vape pens, nicotine gum, and patches?

I grew up in California, but have lived out of state for the past 15 years. I used to refer to CA as the "nonsmoking state." But, during my last visit to southern CA this year I was shocked by the amount of people I saw vaping EVERYWHERE, inside, outside, every kind of event and place you could imagine. And I live in a state where marijuana is legalized for recreational use! You would see people get irrationally mad about someone smoking a cigarette or cigar OUTSIDE, but they would complete ignore a vape pen user (who may or may not have been impaired by drugs, way moreso than your average cigarette smoker). I even saw people vaping in theme parks that had security that searched your bags before entry.

I'm of the personal opinion that I don't care if people are smoking anything outside. Especially when the wildfires this time of year destroy the air quality of CA more than tobacco smokers.

 

[WonkaKid]

... And I agree about CM enforcing it. I did see a cm telling a guy that was smoking over by pirates lair that he couldn't smoke there but I think if they have no smoking signs posted at the front of the parks and all over the parks maybe that will help.

I believe that security CMs take the issue very seriously. I've seen then confront both smokers and vapers. Having said that, I think I've only seen people actively smoke outside of designated areas three or four time in more than 100 visits.

 

[BLAZEY]

My precious granddaughter died at the age of 6 from a severe asthma attack. Many people do not know that asthma can kill.
I am happy to hear that Disney is going smoke free. I hope that the CMs are told to enforce it.

Sorry to hear about your precious granddaughter. I too am happy that disney is going smoke free

 

[Dismama2boys]

LOL like this is going to stop determined smokers or marijuana users and keep them out of the parks. Has no one heard of edibles, vape pens, nicotine gum, and patches?

I’m missing your point about the gum and patches. I don’t think anyone would ever have an issue with those as they don’t affect others around them at all.

I can’t stand to be around smoke either, and I do my best to keep my kids as far away from it as possible. But, I do hope they keep a smoking section in some out-of-the-way place. We spent 4 days in the parks in July, and I saw people smoking outside of the smoking section 6 different times. Not once did a CM say anything. I’m afraid if they get rid of the smoking sections completely, this will happen even more often. I’d much rather deal with a known smoking section that we can avoid versus more rogue smokers who apparently know they can get away with it.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I am pretty sure there is a law that you can't smoke within so many feet of schools or parks

Um....no.

Gov Jerry Brown vetoed the bill that would restrict smoking at state beaches & parks (parks as in trees, lakes, and grasslands - not theme parks).

 

[agamble]

Um....no.

Gov Jerry Brown vetoed the bill that would restrict smoking at state beaches & parks (parks as in trees, lakes, and grasslands - not theme parks).

It is illegal to smoke on school grounds as the other poster said, including e-cigs. There's also a law from 2003 that says people cannot smoke near playgrounds at public parks in CA. And also within 20 ft of a public building. But Disneyland isn't public land. Also, certain cities in CA have no smoking on beach laws, it just isn't a state law.


We all know Disneyland can make whatever rules they want, but the real question is will they enforce them. As many have said it doesn't do any good to have a smoke free park if they won't enforce the rule.

 

[dina444444]

It is illegal to smoke on school grounds as the other poster said, including e-cigs. There's also a law from 2003 that says people cannot smoke near playgrounds at public parks in CA. And also within 20 ft of a public building. But Disneyland isn't public land. Also, certain cities in CA have no smoking on beach laws, it just isn't a state law.


We all know Disneyland can make whatever rules they want, but the real question is will they enforce them. As many have said it doesn't do any good to have a smoke free park if they won't enforce the rule.

And some cities even have no smoking in public ordinances.

 

[mom2rtk]

It is illegal to smoke on school grounds as the other poster said, including e-cigs. There's also a law from 2003 that says people cannot smoke near playgrounds at public parks in CA. And also within 20 ft of a public building. But Disneyland isn't public land. Also, certain cities in CA have no smoking on beach laws, it just isn't a state law.


We all know Disneyland can make whatever rules they want, but the real question is will they enforce them. As many have said it doesn't do any good to have a smoke free park if they won't enforce the rule.

That's a fair point. Disney isn't the best at enforcing their rules. I applaud their effort here, but wonder if the absence of a smoking section means people will just light up in random places. This all comes down to how Disney does with enforcement. Unfortunately their track record isn't great in that regard, although I have hope on this issue they might be.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

I wonder if they plan to handle this like they do for MHP. The parties are 100% non-smoking (and this policy is in the fine print on the tickets and it's printed on the MHP maps), but there is a designated smoking section in the esplanade. Anyone caught smoking in DL during party hours is approached by a CM (usually a lead from what we've seen) and asked to put out the cigarette/e-cigarette. The smoking policy is explained and the smoking area pointed out on a map. We've never seen anyone argue. Anyone caught smoking pot is escorted out by security. (We've seen that happen a few times, too.)

 

[corrie563]

This is great news, my son was sayying last night that he wished Disneyland was smoke free, he hated walkig through there.

 

[CO2CA]

While I'm glad they're minimizing (or further completely banning) the smoking sections throughout the parks, I just hope that this isn't going to create more issues with people lighting up in random areas because there is no designated place for it now.

 

[hyperminimalism]

Agree with all of the asthma comments above. i think people forget how bad it was when smoking was allowed throughout the park. When i was a kid, we were waiting in line for something in Tomorrowland. A guy walked by with a cigarette in hand that brushed my arm as he walked by. Gave me a slight burn. Can you imagine people with lit cigarettes walking around in today's crowds?!?

i have asthma and just smelling smoke on people who have been smoking really irritates the condition. today i had to take my kitty to the ER vet (she's ok!) and some people came in who had been smoking previously. they sat down next to me but the stench was enough to make me start coughing. if they had been smoking, who knows how i would've felt. it's bad enough that in the parks people can actually smoke despite there being a designated area. it should've been banned ages ago when it was banned from restaurants, airplanes, hospitals, schools, etc. but times are changing and i know it'll be gone soon. whew!