greenbanned POLL: SMOKING at DISNEY

[greenban]

Well, this topic is too hot to wait for the vote to close, so here goes.......

Are you happy (in favor) of Disney's announced ban on Resort smoking? :horse:
(apologies to Rash!)

-Tony

[Rozzie]

Happy day in Rozzieland. :howudoin:


Just still wondering how they are going to enforce it though.

[AFMom]

I'm glad the rooms are - but I don't know how a lot of people will feel about the balconies and patios. I know a lot of people who would NEVER smoke inside - even at thier own houses - but will smoke outside. It will be nice to not have to have anyone on a balcony up-wind of us smoking!

[Simba's Mom]

I voted Yes, mostly. I guess DH would say that vote is consistent with my inability to ever make decisions. On one hand, I'm so glad from a selfish standpoint-I'm a Non-smoker who's ended up in smoking-optional rooms more than once, and am so glad that won't be an issue (will I or won't I get the NS room I requested?) And several times, I've been sitting on my balcony only to have cigarette smoke blowing up at me from a nearby balcony. Yuck!!! However, I remember being married to a smoker (DH quit 20 years ago), and I feel bad for all the NSers married to smokers. Now, when they want a cigarette, rather than just stepping out on the balcony (and perhaps continuing to carry on a conversation), the NSer has to sit alone while the smoker goes to wherever the smoking area is. And for smokers with young children, they can't just both go on the balcony together and keep an eye on the kids. Instead, they have to take turns leaving to go to the smoking area. Hey, what am I saying? Maybe they'll do the best thing-QUIT SMOKING!

[DSNY FN]

100% I wish it was all across teh parks and everything but I will be happy to have smoke free resorts to start.

[Colorado Belle]

So for those of us who don't seem to get the news that's fit to print until after it's thrown out....

Disney banned smoking at all resorts including DVC??????

YIppee!

[carolina_yankee]

I'm 100% happy but not smoker-hostile (as long as the smoking areas aren't between me and the entrances I use). Actually, I guess that would make me Disney hostile. It's not the smokers' fault if they're smoking where told.

Dirk

[Stimpy]

100% happy here! :bunny: As someone with asthma that can be severely affected by cigarette smoke, I'm a bit partial.

I'm not anti-smoking, if someone else chooses to smoke, that's their decision. I just don't want to have to go to the doctor!

[ghost1000]

I'm with Stimpy, although I don't have asthma.

Neither Doug nor I smoke, and we always request a non-smoking room. But for those who do smoke, that's their own decision (but with the price of cigarettes today, you'd think they could find something better to do with that money, like buy gas for their car).

As long as I'm not subjected to their second-hand smoke, I don't have a problem with people smoking.

[JamJarJo]

I'm very happy. I've been waiting for this for a while.
My husband is a fairly recent ex-smoker - he never smoked inside and if required to go to a designated smoking area he always did. When he was smoking he woudn't have had a problem with the no balconies rule. Why should someone else have to get a face full of his smoke?

[dvcconvert]

I voted no.
Basically because I am always against any policy that is not inclusive.
Walt, and the company has always had a long history in toleration, not isolating or exclsusion.
I am particularly concerned as to how this impacts DVC owners, and how the new policy effects the 'good people' who have always gone out on their balconies/patios to smoke - with the intention of their habits not impacting the rooms.

[Chip126]

I voted no.
Basically because I am always against any policy that is not inclusive.
Walt, and the company has always had a long history in toleration, not isolating or exclsusion.
I am particularly concerned as to how this impacts DVC owners, and how the new policy effects the 'good people' who have always gone out on their balconies/patios to smoke - with the intention of their habits not impacting the rooms.


Well said! I couldn't agree more. I don't smoke in my own home, I certainly wouldn't smoke in the villa! However, I am very courteous of those non-smokers around me and I have never smoked on my balcony whenever there was someone next to me. It is very rare that I even see people on their balconies at the times that I am out there. I also only use designated areas in the parks.

Having said that.....I will follow the new rule, but it will be quite an inconvenience. Be prepared to see at my worst - first thing in the morning!!!:fresh:

[KevGuy]

I agree with it partially and voted opther lol. I am a former smoker and believe that smoking in the rooms should be banned. However I understand that as long as ashtrays are used there is no reason they shouldnt be allowed to smoke on balconies which are outside. What are they gonna do have the smoking police come up and arrest someone for smoking outside, I'd like to see that try and happen pretty silly?? I understand if people are tossinig butss etc and how that can be a problem, but someone having a quick fix on a balcony and uses an ash tray should not be an issue. If someone ever came up to me and said we are in the next room and your smoke is bothering me I would have no problem not smoking there again out of courtesey for them. Unfortunately too many people are very arrogant when they try and ask someone not to smoke in a certain area from what I've seen in the past not at Disney but elsewhere and that is why they get an arrogant or over the top response. In my home I will say even as a smoker I have never smoked in my house because I realized that it would effect my kids and not be fair to them to expose them to the second hand smoke. I always smoked outside on my deck even in the dead of winter lol, and froze my butt off too, definately don't miss that. I have always treated it like my own little vice and more or less tried to hide it to a certain extent. I have quit though as on Jan 1, 2007 and have had a couple of bumps in the first two months but hanging in there since. I think a lot of you should not be so up in arms about it as it is literally a chemical dependency from the nicotene just like an alchoholic is addicted to booze. I think if it wasn't like that many people would quit. But as a former smoker I understand non-smoking positions, especially in rooms but outside smoking should be allowed as long as it is not directly effecting someone and they are not just tossing butts around carelessly. I agree with designated areas in the parks for smoking too but outside balconies at resorts is a little over the top I think in my opinion. I don't see how any penalties would be implemented either, that is pretty much a joke as far as outside smoking goes. You can't fine someone for doing something legal, this is america you know lol. Again just my $.02 as a former smoker who is now smoke free going into my 5th month. :hypnotict

[Disneyracingfan]

Is there a no with stipulation? I am a smoker. I never smoked in my house. I always smoke on my deck, rain, shine, cold, or hot. I stay up late and get up early 4-5 hours of sleep a night :coffee2: if I'm lucky. My only problem with this is the balcony. Which it seems is the problem for most smokers who like me probably never request a smoking room. I can't think of one smoker I know that smokes indoors which could be why the reservation rate is down for smoking rooms. My DW is not as sleep deprived as I, so when she is getting herself mobile in the a.m. I like to sneak out on the balcony and have a smoke while I make sure the kids (3,5) don't abuse :innocent: :boohoohoo each other. this is usually my last smoke of the day at Disney till I wonder across one of the DSAs near something that can keep the kids from following me. I also enjoy an evening stroll with a smoke so I wont mind too much walking to a DSA at the resorts. So I will follow the rules to the best of my abilities. I could say I would never smoke on the balcony but never is a strong word at 3:30 in the AM with boxers on that look like this :kilt. Saying anything less would be lying as I've been known to speed once or twice, roll through a stop sign here or there, you get the picture. everybody has broken at least one "rule" in their life. If it makes you feel any better I never smoke indoors and I only break :drive: laws when noone in their right mind is awake 'cause I don't want to see the :judge: But I'll let you know after Dec. trip.

[kathleena]

I'm very, very happy although surprised about the balconies. Actually, I was just hoping that they would start guaranteeing NS rooms in the DVC resorts like they do in the non-DVC resorts, so this is a bonus.

Having said that, I'm an ex-smoker. After 17 years, it's hard to remember how I would have felt while I was smoking, but the last four years I smoked I used to go without a cig all day during work because I refused to go to the loading dock with the other smokers and shivver my way thru a cig in the dead of winter. It wasn't that hard to substitute the butt with a stick of gum, a glass of water or juice or perhaps Nicorette.

It's very hard (as an ex-smoker) to believe that a smoker can't curb the urge in one way or another - we have all had to do it sometime.

[idratherbeinwdw]

I think it's great that there is no smoking in the rooms but like some others here I think it should be allowed on balconies and patios.

[DisneyLove1012]

i'm not a smoker so i would have been 100%happy about being non smoking

[Niki]

Recently got back from a BWV vacation with my smoking DH. I quit, and have never been dependent on ciggies, but DH is a two pack a day-er and has smoked since age 14. We were on the 4th floor near the far end of the building. While we were close to stairs, we were on the 4th floor and far away from elevators. Going up and down the stairs several times a day was OK for the first few days. We arrived on Saturday. We are theme park commandos, at park by opening, sometimes rest during mid-day, and close the parks at night. In other words, we walk ALOT! By Tuesday, it was getting a little old. By Wednesday, he was dragging his butt up and down the stairs, very very tired, and snipping at the other three adults who don't smoke. While he eventually caved in and wasn't as crabby, he was more tired than the rest of us non-smokers. Also, we were tired and stopped going with him after a day or so, making it a lonely trip.

I know some people say, "this is what he gets for such a dirty habit" but this is a physical addiction for him. He has tried prescription drugs, gum and even laser without success. He has been smoking heavily for 35 years, although he has recently had all medical exams showing he has no lung or heart issues and he is in great shape since losing 75 lbs. He just has this bad habit which I'm sure will eventually catch up with him. (He is one of the lucky ones so far.) He doesn't like how he is when he smokes, he just can't seem to stop. DVC could have made some accommodation for him, since we made the reservation while smoking rooms could still be requested (if I remember correctly.) We mentioned this on check-in at 7 a.m. on Saturday morning. No help whatsoever. I guess being close to the stairs was an accomodation, but not on the 4th floor.

I know I'm being whiney, but this put alot of stress on our trip, and DH tired legs. I think DVC could either put smokers, if requewssted, near elevators, on the ground floor or allow smoking on the top floor balconies only. Smoke rises. Smoking on the balcony on the top floor wouldn't hurt anyone. Basically, this is a physical disability, although not a politically correct one. When I requested a room near the elevator for a person with mobility issues, I was given one right away. Some concession should be given, if possible, to this disability as well.

OK, I am wearing my asbestos underwear. Go ahead and blast me.:bugeyed:

[idratherbeinwdw]

I agree that smoking should be OK on top floor balconies. However if the wind is blowing the smoke can go left or right, not just up. So it's not as simple as it sounds IMO.

I sympathize with your issue Niki. I don't smoke cigarettes but I do think there should be some rooms for those who do. As those rooms need more upkeep I think they should either cost more points or have some sort of cleaning fee attached.

Sorry for the stress put on your family because of this change in policy.

[KNWVIKING]

I agree that smoking should be OK on top floor balconies. However if the wind is blowing the smoke can go left or right, not just up. So it's not as simple as it sounds IMO.

I sympathize with your issue Niki. I don't smoke cigarettes but I do think there should be some rooms for those who do. As those rooms need more upkeep I think they should either cost more points or have some sort of cleaning fee attached.

Since DVC was always a smoking resort and our dues including cleaning smoking & non smoking units, can I assume then that we will see a reduction in our dues ? If so, then I would agree that a special cleaning fee would be in order.

The only problem I've ever had with people smoking on the balconies above me was when they allowed the ash to drop onto my balcony and this was a one-time-only event that occurred on our last BCV trip.

Honestly, I'm more concerned about the dangers of second hand alcohol then I am smoke.

[idratherbeinwdw]

Honestly, I'm more concerned about the dangers of second hand alcohol then I am smoke.

Yes agreed--I have had more bad experiences due to angry/out of control drunks than I have had with any smokers.

[Chip126]

No flaming from me, Niki! I completely understand what you are saying and I do find that this is difficult for smokers. Being on the top floor balconies sounds like a great idea, but I don't ever see this happening! I am in the minority of smoker's myself and being alone with two young children at VWL in June was quite difficult. I'm sure I will be getting lots of extra exercise in December at the BWV, but luckily my mom will be there to stay in the room with the kids when I get desperate :yes:

[Niki]

Thanks guys for being supportive, not just judgmental. I really expected to get blasted by all the non-smokers out there.

Sorry you had a problem with a smoker above you, Viking. That is just rude. DH always uses an ashtray, and even cleans it out himself. I have had bad experiences on my balcony, too. Not with smoke, though. Water and peanut shells were the culprits. Do ya think the guy had a peanut addiction. Being a White Sox fan, I could certainly understand that. In Chicago, we fill the stands of our fields with peanut shells.

I still think smoking on the top floor would be OK, as long as all of the people on the top floor knew that they were next to a smoker. Even if there was wind, there wouldn't be any more than fireworks smoke up on a windy day. Probably less. Even if they increased the points, allotted a special fee and only allowed smoking on the top floor of OKW (that has no elevator) I would still pay the extra for the privilege. All of those are good ideas. DH is in the minority any more, but there are still plenty of them out there.