Smoking Optional Rooms at VWL

[floridafam]

I can see this thread is starting to go in a bad direction.

One last response from me....

My DS does have allergies. We had to purchase a very expensive nebulizer. It scares me when he wakes up in the middle of the night with breathing problems and he's crying.

We didn't ask for this. It just presented itself one day and we've been dealing with it ever since.

Not everyone lies about having allergies. I'd be more than happy to forward you copies of my son's medical bills.

 

[HookdonWDW]

I'm allergic to smoke and have asthma. I think you hear more about it on these types of boards, because although I dislike a smoke, the problem for me is being in a confined space for a long period of time (ie. a hotel room for more than a couple of hours) that has smoke residue. The allergens don't leave the room with the cigarettes, and those ionizers don't get rid of the problem for those of us who really have a problem... they merely disguise the smell in the room, and leave a ton of allergens behind. I always request non-smoking for medical reasons, and I offer to forward a letter from my physician.

If I was visiting someone's house for the evening, I probably wouldn't say much, but I guarantee that I would end up with a splitting headache, and needing to up my meds that evening. I have the same problem with cat dander. I'm not slightly allergic to cats... I'm off the chart. I used to get so mad when I would specifically ask people if they had cats. One friend told me "Oh, no - we don't have cats." After an hour in her house, my eyes began swelling shut. I asked her if she was sure that there were no cats around. She started laughing uncomfortably, and stated that she couldn't believe I could tell. She'd cleaned up all of the cat hair, and locked her two cats in a backroom.

Although some people may use allergies as an excuse, others of us really have them... just ask the cafeteria monitor from back when I was in second grade - she made me eat my carrots even though I told her I was allergic ("Yeah, every 7 yr. old is allergic to carrots"). I never had to finish my lunch again after that day.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by floridafam
I can see this thread is starting to go in a bad direction.

One last response from me....

My DS does have allergies. We had to purchase a very expensive nebulizer. It scares me when he wakes up in the middle of the night with breathing problems and he's crying.

We didn't ask for this. It just presented itself one day and we've been dealing with it ever since.

Not everyone lies about having allergies. I'd be more than happy to forward you copies of my son's medical bills.

I was not addressing you at all in my comments.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by HookdonWDW
I'm allergic to smoke and have asthma. I think you hear more about it on these types of boards, because although I dislike a smoke, the problem for me is being in a confined space for a long period of time (ie. a hotel room for more than a couple of hours) that has smoke residue. The allergens don't leave the room with the cigarettes, and those ionizers don't get rid of the problem for those of us who really have a problem... they merely disguise the smell in the room, and leave a ton of allergens behind. I always request non-smoking for medical reasons, and I offer to forward a letter from my physician.

If I was visiting someone's house for the evening, I probably wouldn't say much, but I guarantee that I would end up with a splitting headache, and needing to up my meds that evening. I have the same problem with cat dander. I'm not slightly allergic to cats... I'm off the chart. I used to get so mad when I would specifically ask people if they had cats. One friend told me "Oh, no - we don't have cats." After an hour in her house, my eyes began swelling shut. I asked her if she was sure that there were no cats around. She started laughing uncomfortably, and stated that she couldn't believe I could tell. She'd cleaned up all of the cat hair, and locked her two cats in a backroom.

Although some people may use allergies as an excuse, others of us really have them... just ask the cafeteria monitor from back when I was in second grade - she made me eat my carrots even though I told her I was allergic ("Yeah, every 7 yr. old is allergic to carrots"). I never had to finish my lunch again after that day.

I truly believe most have allergies, however, there are many that do lie about it. Guess they figure if they lie and make it sound dramatic it will have a greater impact. For those that lie, and I am NOT accusing anyone here, why not just say, I hate smoke and let it go at that? If someone asks me if I have pets, I do say, yes I do and they shed like mad. I would never endanger anyone's health by lying. I am highly allergic to some perfumes and cannot breath when around them. I can usually escape, but, airplanes pose a terrible time for me, sometimes, so, I can understand the allergy standpoint.

What amazes me in the increase in asthmatic children. Smoking has been on the decline in recent years, yet, there are more children with asthma. Wonder what is up with that. One would figure if smoking were the cause, the cases would be on the decline NOT the incline.

I have no problem respecting others and following rules, I do have a problem when I am following the rules and get bashed for it.

 

[floridafam]

I know, Gail. That's why my response wasn't addressed to anyone in particular.

The posts regarding allergies seemed to imply that everyone who has allergies to smoke is lying.

That is just not the case.

I'm not going to assume someone who is allergic to bees is lying to me.

I thought it this was a great thread with potential to inform people of what may be a problem for them. I didn't see any relation to the OP in the posts about whether or not people are lying about their allergies.

I respect the fact that we can all have civilized conversations on this topic and I may not agree with your point of view but you always present it in an intelligent and respectful manner.

I was just a little taken aback as to where the thread was going and the implication that people make allergies up. I wanted to make clear that we don't lie about allergies.

 

[TIdoublegaER]

I do wish Disney would "guarantee" smoking or ns. At least that way you would know, when the reservation was made, that your room was smoking or not. Other hotel chains do it and I know that Disney could too. I think more non-smokers are getting stuck in smoking rooms (and vice versa) because that is what happens to be clean at check in. This is what happened to us at VWL over July 4th. I would honestly prefer to change my vacation plans rather than get stuck in a smoking room for a week or more. I am sure that there are smokers that feel the same way about getting stuck in a ns room.

 

[HookdonWDW]

Originally posted by GAIL HAYDEN
What amazes me in the increase in asthmatic children. Smoking has been on the decline in recent years, yet, there are more children with asthma. Wonder what is up with that. One would figure if smoking were the cause, the cases would be on the decline NOT the incline.

I have no problem respecting others and following rules, I do have a problem when I am following the rules and get bashed for it.

I think that general air quality may be partly to blame for the increase in asthma. And, if I understand my allergist correctly, part of the reason for the increase in the number of those who don't tolerate smoke is the fact that less people smoke! Exposure to allergens can cause people with less severe allergies to build up a tolerance to whatever causes the allergy. So, if a child lives with smokers, they don't have as many smoke problems. When they move out of the house however, there tolerance to smoke may go way down, and they can develop allergic symptoms.

I agree that the rules are the point. There are (and should be) smoking rooms for those who smoke. People shouldn't be bashed for smoking in a room that is designated as such. Smoking Optional Rooms just creates a can of worms. Smokers are going to smoke in them, and non-smokers are going to complain when they get stuck with them. Same issue exists with handicap/non-handicap rooms. You're always going to have a group of people who aren't happy with what they get.

And so the castle turns...

 

[ncligs]

Originally posted by BCVOwner2002
As for people's rights I have a right to not breath or smell cigarette smoke and it is obvious many states and towns feel this way too since many have banned smoking in public places, including restaurants and work places.

Very well said Annmarie.