Why does DCL allow smoking?

[Dug720]

FWIW, smoking is banned in all NYC parks. And yes, that includes Central Park!

 

[P'colaBeachBum]

There are also proposals to ban smoking in areas of Florida Beaches. Florida has a lot of PSA's to help people stop smoking. If any food source caused many deaths it would be pulled from the shelves immediately. Smoking kills far more than any E coli outbreak ever has yet tobacco products are still on the shelves.

End of rant.

 

[CastawayCayLover]

FWIW, smoking is banned in all NYC parks. And yes, that includes Central Park!

I believe that law is still being contested in court.

 

[justmestace]

I'm not a smoker, and did not enjoy having a smoker in the next cabin on my first cruise either, however, I do not see how or why Disney should discriminate based on something that is not illegal...

That being said, my son is allergic to nuts... should I expect Disney to ban all nuts from the cruise line so there is no chance of cross contamination? Of course not... What if the person in the cabin next to ours was eating peanuts in the shell and some of the shells blew on to my verandah?

*I* am responsible for my own health and that of my family... if I have to be inconvenienced due to my own issues, then so be it... I do not expect a cruise line, a theme park, an airline, etc to protect my family from every ill it may encounter...

I whole heartedly agree with you. I believe way back there somewhere, I mentioned the same thing. If a person is in a risk group, then they need to take care of their health issues themselves. If there's a chance a smoker might be next door to you and you know their smoke will make you sick, then you need to be in an inside cabin.

My husband is allergic to fish and peanuts. He HATES it if I try to check out foods for him, or if I talk to a waiter. He wants to handle it himself. And I think in the case of people with respiratory issues, they should do the same.

 

[justmestace]

Is the seat next to you taken?

 

[Henlady]

Dh is a smoker. I am not. Do I like that he smokes - definately not. AND he is not from a "lower socioeconomic class". He is a RN. He knows the end results of smoking very well. But at 62 he hasn't been able to kick his addiction. He's tried. We book verandah's on DCL, however we purposly book verandahs at the very back of the Dream or Fantasy so that he has an out of the way place to smoke and most of the smoke drifts on the wind away from the ship. If someone were to ask him not to smoke while they were on their balcony, he would oblige. Next cruise, we are booked on the Dream in a 7A at the aft area of the ship, but the next room past ours is a porthole room so no smoke going onto someone's balcony. The nearest balcony is probably 6 rooms further aft so it should be gone by then.
Don't condemn all smokers. There are considerate people out there, not all, but many.

 

[MAYNARDS99]

Durham,NC has a very restrictive law.

They prohibit smoking on various public properties, including within 100 feet of bus stops; in public parks and on trails; and on public sidewalks abutting schools, hospitals, and city and county property.

Kind of ironic as Durham was founded on tobacco!

 

[mrliam]

Don't condemn all smokers. There are considerate people out there, not all, but many.

This should be the bottom line of the thread.

There are people out there that are considerate of others. There are people out there that aren't.

I smoke, drink and swear.

I do all of these in consideration of my environments. I moderate my language in front of others, but not in front of my friends. I don't think I've ever sworn in front of a child at WDW and do my best not to in any other situation. But there are others that do...

I do not drink and become a nuisance to people around me, as it detrimentally affects their surroundings and haven't chosen me to be like that. But there are others that do...

I smoke in designated areas and specifically move my cigarette behind my back if a child walks past as they do not need to see me indulging in my habit. As well as this, I tend to check that those in my vicinity are ok with me lighting up with them near, and if they are not, I try to respect their wishes. I do not like to think I act in an inconsiderate way. But there are others that do...

Tarring all people with the same brush is a slippery slope....

 

[tvguy]

In Seattle it is probably 10% or less. However most of the homeless people I see smoke. From what I seen smoking is highly correlated with income level so I don't believe it would be a big hit to Disney if they banned smoking. Most of the young people smoke pot not tobacco. I believe they think it is less bad for their health. It is still bad for you though.

Actually, Washington state historically has among the lowest rates of smokers at about 15%, it was one of the states where smoking is on the increase. I don't know about Seattle specifically.
http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2015326185_smoking16m.html

But income level does seem to have a link to smoking.
http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/adult_data/cig_smoking/

 

[Hokeysmoke]

Disney does not allow smoking in its resort hotels, even on balconies attached to your room. Have they ever explained why they ban it in hotels on the ground, but not ones that float?

I remember when there were smoking sections on planes, then non-smoking domestic flights, and then finally all flights became non-smoking.

 

[justmestace]

Disney does not allow smoking in its resort hotels, even on balconies attached to your room. Have they ever explained why they ban it in hotels on the ground, but not ones that float?

I remember when there were smoking sections on planes, then non-smoking domestic flights, and then finally all flights became non-smoking.

Most likely because the ships are moving a large portion of the time, and the smoke usually blows off out to sea. That's only my guess......I know that it doesn't always work out that way.

 

[ColonFamilia]

I don't think the research supports that outdoor second hand smoke is a health hazard.

Until recently, there has been little extensive research on the effect of outdoor secondhand smoke as most has focused on indoor effects. However, recent studies have shown that those exposed to outdoor secondhand smoke have elevated levels of tobacco-related chemicals in their bodies.

I believe in the surgeon general's report on second hand smoke, the only reference to outdoor readings stated that at the high end, the carcinogen levels came in at 75% below the low end of the range of readings they took in bowling alleys (as someone who has done more than his fair share of bowling and is a former smoker, I know that these are historically higher than average smoke filled places).

That same surgeon general report also clearly states:

There is No Risk-Free Level of Exposure to Secondhand Smoke

The U.S. Surgeon General has concluded that breathing even a little secondhand smoke poses a risk to your health.

 

[Dizzyworld]

I don't know why DCL sells cigars? We've had two verandahs and both times we couldn't use them because of a cigar smoker somewhere in the area although not next door to us. The smell came into our room too. DCL gave us an air purifer that was about the size of a small suitcase for the week to sit in the middle of the floor. It helped with us being able to use our cabin without getting sick but we coudn't use the balcony. Cigars apparenlty take a very long time to smoke. And the person or persons were always out there. As much as I would like a balcony from time to time, it is not worth $$$ to take the chance on getting into this situation again. It was very frustrating.

 

[k3chantal]

What trend is there to restricting smoking in outdoor spaces? While there has been a significant, and welcomed, trend to restricting indoor smoking in public areas, there hasn't been much in the way of restricting outdoor smoking.



I don't know how an illegal activity (DUI) is comparable to a legal one.



It's still an outdoor area, and very few outdoor public areas are restricted from smoking.



I don't think the research supports that outdoor second hand smoke is a health hazard. I believe in the surgeon general's report on second hand smoke, the only reference to outdoor readings stated that at the high end, the carcinogen levels came in at 75% below the low end of the range of readings they took in bowling alleys (as someone who has done more than his fair share of bowling and is a former smoker, I know that these are historically higher than average smoke filled places).

Indoor second hand smoke is definitely a hazard and DCL reacted to that. Passengers used to be able to smoke in Rockin Bar D on the magic after 9 pm (I did it many times), not any more.

Irritants on the balcony go beyond smoking (perfumes, being loud, even that nice lady one year who was on the balcony next to me who proclaimed her wish that all smokers had been left back in the port - sorry you didn't get your wish - I didn't get mine that all obnoxious narcissists were left at port either), until there's scientific evidence to the contrary, their health effects are the same.

There are cruise lines that have no smoking on balcony policies. The most effective message you can send to DCL if you feel so passionately about this issue is to not cruise DCL patronize those lines.

Research most certainly does support that outdoor second hand smoking is a health hazard. It's funny that this thread has popped up this week since in the news Starbucks is now expanding their no smoking policy to their outdoor seating. Awareness of the dangers of second hand smoke is expanding.

I live in California and the only real time I 'see', 'smell' or have to 'deal' with second hand smoke is ironically when I go to Disneyland and its because the one place that smokers can do their thing is right in the middle of a tight corridor between the Matterhorn and the Nemo submarine ride. It always catches me off guard since I don't have to deal with this hazard any other location I go in California. Thank goodness!

 

[Mickeyhugger]

Is the seat next to you taken?

No, it is not. Be my guest!
And, what kind of popcorn seasoning would you like? (Butter-flavor or cheddar cheese?)

 

[Hokeysmoke]

The following cruise lines are some that outright prohibit smoking on stateroom balconies: Azamara Club, Celebrity, Crystal, MSC, Oceania, Princess, Regent Seven Seas

Princess changed their policy relatively recently, and has an interesting FAQ about it on their web site:
"For all voyages departing after January 15th, 2012, Princess Cruises will prohibit smoking in passenger staterooms and balconies. This policy change reflects the preferences of a vast majority of our passengers who value having their primary living space (both stateroom and balcony) smoke-free. As balconies are a hallmark of Princess Cruises, we believe it is important to keep this peaceful space clear of smoke. Violations to this policy will result in a $250 fine for each occurrence, which will be charged to the passenger’s stateroom account. Keeping with the global trend toward more restrictive smoking policies and honoring the wishes of our passengers, we feel this change will enhance our onboard experience and do more to help our passengers escape completely."

 

[ColonFamilia]

Keeping with the global trend toward more restrictive smoking policies and honoring the wishes of our passengers, we feel this change will enhance our onboard experience and do more to help our passengers escape completely."

What an interesting choice of words...I guess there IS a global trend toward more restrictive smoking policies.

 

[BCV23]

If a person is in a risk group, then they need to take care of their health issues themselves. If there's a chance a smoker might be next door to you and you know their smoke will make you sick, then you need to be in an inside cabin.

Couldn't disagree with you more. The fresh sea air is wonderful for my asthma. Thankfully, in four cruises we've only had one set of neighbors that seemed to smoke nonstop precluding my use of the balcony with the exception of two occasions. On that 8 night cruise, I took care of my health. by closing the door and watching the beautiful ocean from our door. Certainly did not get my money's worth though.

The following cruise lines are some that outright prohibit smoking on stateroom balconies: Azamara Club, Celebrity, Crystal, MSC, Oceania, Princess, Regent Seven Seas

Princess changed their policy relatively recently, and has an interesting FAQ about it on their web site:
"For all voyages departing after January 15th, 2012, Princess Cruises will prohibit smoking in passenger staterooms and balconies. This policy change reflects the preferences of a vast majority of our passengers who value having their primary living space (both stateroom and balcony) smoke-free. As balconies are a hallmark of Princess Cruises, we believe it is important to keep this peaceful space clear of smoke. Violations to this policy will result in a $250 fine for each occurrence, which will be charged to the passenger’s stateroom account. Keeping with the global trend toward more restrictive smoking policies and honoring the wishes of our passengers, we feel this change will enhance our onboard experience and do more to help our passengers escape completely."

Thank you for that list. Does anyone have experience with those lines? Within the next year we have three cruises for a total of 24 nights booked on DCL but it is time to research the aforementioned lines.

ColonFamilia, thank you for your first eloquent post on this thread. Maybe we should all copy it and send it to DCL.

BTW, I don't think anyone on this thread has said that all smokers are inconsiderate. Many do think of others. However, my neighbors had to have heard my door slide open a bit and slide shut many times. Ditto to the times I was out for a few minutes only to have them come out and light up. They were far from considerate. I did feel for whomever was addicted. One person hacked loud enough that on occasion we could hear him in our cabin.

 

[baleeve]

That's so great that you are doing so well! Oral cancer affected a member of my family (she was a smoker) and the recovery process is extremely tough. I am sure you have come out the other side a much stronger person - you certainly have a great attitude and I hope your cruise to celebrate your fourth year in remission is amazing

Baleeve...congrats on your remission! I'm 5 years cancer free...lung cancer from not smoking but my parents did.

Smoking is allowed on the verandas, but smoking is not a right and to ban it is not discriminatory. Breathing fresh air should be a right which is why we wanted a veranda. We compromised and I hope we will be able to enjoy the fresh salt air that we have enjoyed being native Floridians and beach bums.

Thank you both so much! It was a very difficult fight but I am luckier than most. Many have deformities as a result of surgery. I too would have if I didn't move back home to MA to receive treatment at Dana Farber. LA hospital wanted to cut me ear to ear. I'm doing great and I'm a great example for my 3 boys. Unlike smokers who tell their kids not to smoke yet they do!!!!

I don't understand the logic behind going outside to smoke or holding your cigarette out the window....yet you inhale that nasty stuff into your lungs and body??? Anyway......

I agree with you P'ColaBeachBum that breathing fresh air is a right but I really doubt we will ever win this war. I remember flying with my parents and you couldn't even see the cockpit from the haze of smoke in the plane. P.S. CONGRATS ON 5 YEARS! Many more healthy years to you!!!

It's at least much better now days. I still "fake" cough when I go by the inconsiderate (eh hem - insult withheld) "smokers" that smoke outside entry doors to stores.

 

[Fifitrixabellee]

Yes, and no. On our last Wonder cruise (smoking area on deck 9 starboard side) someone was smoking a cigar. Yes, we could smell it all the way back to the Mickey Pool area where we were playing cards. I've also been on deck 4 starboard (non-smoking 6am-6pm) where people were still lighting up during the non-smoking hours.

Smoke, unfortunately, doesn't realize that it has lines that it has to stay within.

I wish they didn't allow smoking on verandahs, also, but I realize that smokers are entirely within their rights to do so. That's the biggest reason I don't get verandahs.

Is this a recent change on deck 4?
My partner is a keen runner and frequently enjoyed a run around deck 4 but was not too pleased having to run through people's smoke. We thought it was odd that DCL would chose a running track as a designated smoking area.