Smoking - Why the sudden excitement?

[Iain Chapman]

Hi All,

Just curious, I've noticed across the various posts and forums a fairly consistent noise about smoking at the parks.

Smoking seems to have always been an issue at the Park (my first visit was 2004), but the level of complaints seem to have recently become large factor in peoples trip reports and other forums posts.

I'm a non-smoker, and thus no fan of being surrounded by smoke, but has something changed to make the situation worse?

Thanks

Iain

 

[Florida2012]

I personally don't see what all the noise is about, it's not as if this is limited to DLP! DW and I was at the Tower of London today, queuing up to see the Crown Jewels, and some of our cousins from across the pond was sparking up behind us. (On at least 3-4 separate occasions)

Same as Alton Towers, Legoland, etc. yes I think it's disgusting but you're never going to stop people doing it!

 

[Jonjo]

I think there are two reasons for this - there are fewer Cast Members working at DLP this summer to properly control the crowds so visitors who do light up and not being told to stop.

Secondly the UK has had a smoking ban for so long now and there are fewer smokers around that it has now become socially unacceptable to smoke in crowded places or near children over here. Something which is yet to happen in France, Spain or Italy.

The issue of smoking was brought up at the Shareholders Round Table meeting held in London earlier this year and we were told they are aware of the problem but there is very little CMs can do about it. When a CM does challenge a visitor about smoking in an area where smoking is banned they are normally meet with a barrage of verbal abuse and some times even physical assault. So the CMs are apprehensive about challenging smokers.

We were told that the issue is going to be addressed but in little steps.