I'm sorry I can't have compassion for someone that is smoking. I really think just obey the rules and smoke outside the park far enough away from the entrance. But I'm pretty black and white and I am also the type of person that has made a manager of a restaurant make smokers move away from the door outside. I think its simple that smokers should follow the laws/rules put in place and maybe smokers should be a little more compassionate and respectful towards non-smokers.
There could be more respect from both sides
(and just a note ... life is more grey than black and white ... not very hard to be a little more considerate whether you like what they're doing or not, and the same goes for the smoker, be considerate, and follow the rules ... yet most sadly don't. I said it before, but I had been in Manhattan and NY has rules about smoking, yet people just walked the streets with a cigarette, and trust, you could smell the marijuana as well ... and people smoking right in front of large "NO SMOKING" signs in front of hotels ... you don't think that will happen here? It already does ...)
I absolutely agree many smokers don't care. But there are many who do. When I smoked, and I did, I always felt the "stigma" of it. It's fun to be judged
but I always say, don't judge anyone until you walk in their shoes. Maybe I'm just TOO thoughtful? I also wouldn't blow smoke out the car window near someone on a motorcycle. It's about respect, and for me, I showed it. I see no harm in offering a smoking section in an outdoor based theme park. They are there to contain the problem. But I do agree they had them in really poor spots (and I think it was on purpose so they could get to this point). However, in many cases, they could have handled it better. And I see no problem having a section near the entrance. Now watch them put it where everyone walks by again ...
I do agree they should follow the rules. Most do. It's the few who don't that ruin it for everybody, like everything in life, there's always "those few ..."
It's very easy to have an opinion on these sorts of things when you aren't a smoker/non-smoker. It's so easy to say "why are you doing this; why can't you quit ...". (EDIT: And I honestly can't answer why I started. I was someone who swore up and down I'd never smoke. It was gross and disgusting. Stinky. I hated my mom smokes. But yet, here I was, puffing away. It happens)
I think this was a no win in some ways. And some see it as win. We shall see.
It's a shame so many lack empathy (on BOTH sides).
I understand many are coming from a good place and wanting someone to be healthy. But it's their body and their life. And if they aren't hurting you (yes, I'm very much aware of what second hand smoke can do ...), let them be. But Disney made it so they WOULD bother you
And shout out to the vaper I saw at Disney Springs two weeks ago who hid in the corner
(unless they confiscate your stuff, this will continue to happen, just now with cigarettes and "cigarettes", if you know what I mean ...)
EDIT: And also wanted to point out what many people may not recognize. Someone smoking is basically immune to the smell. They really don't, in most cases, realize their clothes stink. I was shocked when I smoked because I didn't at all. But I sure noticed it when I didn't. Some really aren't aware how much it may bother you
and last I checked, smoking cigarettes wasn't illegal so the right exists to do it and humans have rights, it's fair to ask for a smoking section. But of course, as private property, Disney has every right to ban smoking
(I just truly see it leading to more problems than it's worth but time will tell, I suppose. I'm there way more than some of you, I see things ... lol)
Anyway. Sorry it's long, but I have the perspective as a smoker and a non-smoker.