Hi everyone! This is my first post, I have been visiting this forum for a while and enjoy reading varied points of view.
I apologize in advance for the length of what follows.
Let me begin by saying that I am a smoker. I'm not proud of this fact, I admit that I am a flawed, imperfect human being, as we all are.
If the subject of smoking comes up, I always advice people not to start. I stay as far away as possible from non-smokers and follow the rules.
I agree wholeheartedly that this is a nasty habit but, I do not consider myself a nasty person.
I understand that times change, we are now expected to accept people's lifestyle choices, some of which may not be necessarily healthy. Empathy.
Disney may have chosen to eliminate smoking areas inside the parks, and I still don't understand the exact logic behind this change besides the "comfort" of people who weren't really affected by them in the first place.
Even though I have smoked for many years, I rarely fall ill, but find it very puzzling that I almost always get sick when I visit the parks, I guess people's very poor hygiene and bad habits affect me more. Many don't wash their hands properly if at all, sneezing and coughing all over without covering their mouth, etc. Am I the only one?
The fact is, we do not live in a santized pristine world, harmful and nasty stuff is going on near and far, whether you see it or not.
No one is forcing you to stand by my side when I light a cigarrete, I only smoke where permitted, usually very far away from you.
The few remaining smoking areas are mostly well hidden and segregated inside the parks. As it is now, non-smokers have 99% of the parks to enjoy for themselves.
Disney could do better in designating a couple of spots for smokers inside the parks, without making us smokers feel rejected, treated like Disney villains or worse, made to feel like we're the scum of the earth!
I respect and commend non-smokers, I understand your concerns. Maybe I'll quit smoking some day, maybe not!
That's going to be a choice I alone have to make, to that at least, I am still entitled.
I will be visiting WDW in a few weeks, and think that just knowing about this new rule, is going to make the urge to smoke even worse!
But do not worry, I'm not going to sneak or hide behind a bush to smoke, I will follow the rules, just like I always have.
I'll let you guys know how it goes!