WDW and cigarette smoke

[Rafiki Rafiki Rafiki]

I just returned home from WDW with the family and was surprised that all four parks have become a designated smoking area.

People seemed oblivious to the rules, and on every occasion that I saw a smoker, I also saw a castmember who didn't do anything about it.

Has anyone else noticed this recently? I live in the Dallas area, and I almost never encounter anyone who smokes anymore. I wonder if anyone else here had that same experience lately.

 

[GeorgeG]

The parks and resorts are smoke-free except in designated areas. For the most part, smokers are abiding by the rules, but there will always be exceptions. Some aren't aware of the rules and just assume they can smoke because they are outside. A friendly reminder and being shown the nearest designated area is sufficient. Others just don't care and think the rules don't apply to them. By my observations they don't appear to be very bright so a smack on the back of the head might be appropriate.

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

In the years since Disney has instituted designated smoking areas, I've noticed people smoking outside of designated areas in every park, on every trip. However, they're so few and far between, it isn't a big deal to me. Sure I might sarcastically think to myself, "Way to follow the rules, dude...", but after they've passed, I really don't give it a second thought. That being said, the fact that some people are militantly opposed to and get extremely angry about smokers in non-smoking areas is not lost on me.

 

[lisadr]

DH smokes and has been in the wrong areas a few times and Cns have asked him to move.

Then I laugh at him and say "nyay, nyay,nyay!".

 

[mykidsand_i]

We've ran into this in the past...I don't like it when people smoke outside of the designated areas!!!...and I don't want this to get into the "smoking is or is not bad, or pro or con" of it all. It's just the same as everything else, it just comes down to "following the rules" and "not being disrespectful" while people are at Disney. Everyone is there to have a magical vacation...no matter what "rule" is there, it's there for a reason. It's there to respect all visitors of their properties.
When standing in line for PIRATES OF THE CAR. (YES, IN THE LINE THAT IS OBVIOUSLY INDOORS) some guy lit up about two people down from where we were! I couldn't believe it. I am not saying he was "bad, because he smoked" I'm saying that "it was horrible because he was breaking the rules and not being respectful of anyone else besides himself!" It wasn't until about 5 minutes later that a CM approached this guy and told him nicely "don't smoke outside of the smoking areas please"...meanwhile the lady and her poor daughter in front of us were furious, because the daughter obviously had bad asthma problems and this poor girl had to leave the line gasping for air because of his smoke.
So, like I said. I do not think smokers are bad what I AM thinking and what I'm going to say is this...if people want to smoke, do it in the designated areas so others can enjoy their vacation as well. Rules are set for a reason.

 

[mamacatnv]

I think that those visitors who live in the US assume that there is some sort of smoking rule and seek to discover what they are. (not all, just most) You can't live in the US and be a smoker and not know that your habit is frowned upon.

However, for the vast number of non-US visitors who come from countries where smoking is not viewed like it is here I wonder if it occurs to them that there might be smoking rules in place.

I know from experience that the smoking rules are not (at least weren't on our last visit a couple of years ago) widely advertised. I also know that the "designated" areas are often hard to find. Yes, some are very obvious and others left me staring at the map and shaking my head.

 

[Rafiki Rafiki Rafiki]

I think had it been one person in one park doing it, I wouldn't have cared. But it was literally every day...and several people, not just one or two.

There were many, many people from other countries at the parks this week. But that guy who was one green behind us at the WinterSummerland mini-golf course smoked the entire time. I was pushing the family to go more quickly through the course so I wouldn't have to smell the smoke. The funny thing was that we chose the winter course over the summer one because the people ahead of us in line had two smokers. The CM told us there were no smoking rules in that park.

 

[bookgirl]

I just returned home from WDW with the family and was surprised that all four parks have become a designated smoking area.

People seemed oblivious to the rules, and on every occasion that I saw a smoker, I also saw a castmember who didn't do anything about it.

Has anyone else noticed this recently? I live in the Dallas area, and I almost never encounter anyone who smokes anymore. I wonder if anyone else here had that same experience lately.

I saw few if any smokers either at the resort or MK. I was actually a little surprised that there wern't more. The weather was great so you didn't have to freeze your rear end off to feed the habit. That's ususally when you end up seeing them, but I can't think of even one time that I saw even one. They must have been really obeying the smoking areas (and I know we had smokers because we had a ton of europeans and their smokers all smell like those thin dark cigerettes that I can't remember the name of LOL), I walked by a few people who smelled of smoke but no actual smokers.

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

I think had it been one person in one park doing it, I wouldn't have cared. But it was literally every day...and several people, not just one or two.

There were many, many people from other countries at the parks this week. But that guy who was one green behind us at the WinterSummerland mini-golf course smoked the entire time. I was pushing the family to go more quickly through the course so I wouldn't have to smell the smoke. The funny thing was that we chose the winter course over the summer one because the people ahead of us in line had two smokers. The CM told us there were no smoking rules in that park.

Sounds like you ran into some bad luck on the smoker front. I hope you still enjoyed your vacation.

 

[Castlebound]

You should probably consider vacationing in Dallas next time. People still smoke in other parts of the country.

It isn't about whether or not they smoke. It is about people not following the rules and smoking where they shouldn't. I think that was already pointed out once or twice already, but apparently it needs to be repeated.

 

[binny]

You should probably consider vacationing in Dallas next time. People still smoke in other parts of the country.

ouch that was a little snarky

 

[720L]

We were there just after Christmas and I noticed the exact same thing! I smelled smoke everywhere. Very rude and annoying.

 

[kirbsam]

i have politiely told people that they are smoking in nonsmoking areas. and only once have i got a poor reaction. that guy was a jerk and i should have decked him.

 

[disneybound2010]

OK, just so you all know now, I am a smoker and I want to thank everyone on here for SO FAR not bashing those of us that do light up

Now,being a smoker, I find it very rude and inconsiderate of the smokers that do feel the need start puffing away anywhere at any time. It is MY choice to smoke,but I do understand that nonsmokers(and those trying to quit) don't want to be bombarded with my billowing clouds while trying to enjoy their time out. I have even stopped people when I have caught them smoking and let them know where designated areas are when I have been out and about. It's bad enough that we are made to feel like pariahs, we don't need an even worse reputation because some feel it is their god given right

 

[LeCras]

I don't understand why anyone would wait for a CM to point out to a 'vigilante smoker' that they need to go to a designated smoking area. Why not just tell them yourself? They may not even be aware that most areas are non-smoking. It's not been that long since it changed, really.

I've asked people nicely to respect the non-smoking areas and have never had a problem with anyone getting annoyed or aggressive. Heck, I even used to do this when I smoked myself, since smokers got a bad enough rap as it was - no need to make it worse by feeding the habit in places you're not meant to...

Must say it still bugs me when people make a big show of coughing and making comments when walking past a designated smoking area. They're smoking where they are supposed to, what else do you want?!?

Charlotte

 

[mamacatnv]

I don't understand why anyone would wait for a CM to point out to a 'vigilante smoker' that they need to go to a designated smoking area. Why not just tell them yourself? They may not even be aware that most areas are non-smoking. It's not been that long since it changed, really.

I've asked people nicely to respect the non-smoking areas and have never had a problem with anyone getting annoyed or aggressive. Heck, I even used to do this when I smoked myself, since smokers got a bad enough rap as it was - no need to make it worse by feeding the habit in places you're not meant to...

Must say it still bugs me when people make a big show of coughing and making comments when walking past a designated smoking area. They're smoking where they are supposed to, what else do you want?!?
Charlotte

I so agree and I don't even smoke anymore.

I've also told people lighting up in line of the no smoking policy and like you have never had trouble. I once lit up in a far corner of AK in what I thought was a smoking section, I really did and I was corrected by a CM. I was very embarrassed since I do try to follow the rules.

 

[GeorgeG]

I used to shoot smokers, but then Disney cracked down on carrying guns in the parks...

Seriously, though, I think things will get better as more people understand the rules and/or quit smoking. I know smokers who won't smoke in their own homes or cars. It's wonderful how getting used to fresh air can open eyes.

 

[Babboo]

I've decided we're going to carry water guns - any smoker who thinks it's their right to infect my family's air (some of us are VERY allergic to that garbage stick they so lovingly suck on) and start putting them out if they're out of the smoking area.

Personally I think Disney needs to make the designated areas MORE clearly marked - put BETTER signage up indicating that smoking is ONLY allowed in designated areas and then MOVE the smoking areas to places where the rest of the free-breathing world can pass without having their disease ridden filth belching in our faces.

I also cannot wait till the US bans smoking in all public places and establishes HUGE fines if a smoker lights up around a child - it's child abuse pure and simple. There are more harmful chemicals on the unfiltered end than the smoker is sucking on - so second hand smoke IS worse.

 

[Babboo]

You should probably consider vacationing in Dallas next time. People still smoke in other parts of the country.

That was COMPLETELY out of line and unnecessary. It is the smokers who are inflicting THEIR habit on us - not the other way around.

 

[SharkyGoddess]

The parks and resorts are smoke-free except in designated areas. For the most part, smokers are abiding by the rules, but there will always be exceptions. Some aren't aware of the rules and just assume they can smoke because they are outside. A friendly reminder and being shown the nearest designated area is sufficient. Others just don't care and think the rules don't apply to them. By my observations they don't appear to be very bright so a smack on the back of the head might be appropriate.