Holiday World should ban smoking

I went to Holiday World for the second time this weekend, and I had a great time (trip report coming later this week).

Most things about the park were perfect as usual, but there seemed to be an inordinate number of people smoking. I had smoke blown directly into my face three times, and twice I saw people smoking while leaning on or standing directly across from "no smoking" signs.

I also saw many people smoking near the entrance of Splashin' Safari, in an area where almost everyone has bare feet. And, I saw a man throw a lit cigarette into the grass directly below the Raven's turn out of the station.

Now, people smoke a lot at all theme parks. But HW bills itself as a place for families, and most people don't want their kids exposed to smoke all the time. On top of that, the park already has a reputation for doing groundbreaking things in the industry (free soft drinks).

So, why not put a complete ban on smoking? I noticed there was at least one outdoor "smoking lounge"; the smoking could be confined to those areas. Anyone smoking outside those areas could be asked to leave the park.

Would HW lose too much business if they put this into place? Why do parks ban most items that offend other people (laser pointers, swearing on T-shirts, skimpy clothing), but not smoking?

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A day is a drop of water in the ocean of eternity. A week is seven drops.

Den:

I, as a nonsmoker, agree with you 100%. However, many families smoke and a non-smoking policy would turn away soooo many guests.

I will applaud the park on this:

http://www.imagestation.com/album/?id=4289641793&p=4221913154&idx=3
*** This post was edited by Neuski 8/4/2003 1:17:46 PM ***

Based on the location of the park Den, I just don't see it happening...demographics...;)

Now I do like Universal's solution....ban smoking in general, and have specific places where smokers ARE allowed to smoke...

I can see my smoking friends are picking up their torches and pitchforks as I'm typing this, so I gotta run....fast....

I think its a great idea. The more times you make smokers feel like the outsiders and the problem, the more you get them to realize what they're doing to themselves and hopefully they'll "see the light".

I think all parks should have this kind of thing - or better yet, put up a couple of those "smoker's dens" like in airports - nothing I've ever seen has convinced so many smokers that its a dirty, disgusting, not-worth-it habit than having to smoke in a "room" that is so smoky from other people that you can't see and reeks of other people's cigarettes.
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Give me launched or give me ... uh ... more launched!!
--Brett

Too true, Brett. I'll never forget how hard I laughed when I heard a person say as they exited a smoking lounge, "Geez, that room reeked, they should get some air fresheners in there."

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--George H
---Currency tracking experiment... http://www.wheresgeorge.com (Referring to The "George" on the $1 bill - Not Me)

Most ex- or non-smokers that I know would agree with this. As an ex-smoker, I can maybe see having designated smoking areas, but not a complete ban. It sucks when someone blows smoke directly in your face, or if someone is smoking in line for a ride, where it is not allowed (for obvious reasons). But I think a lot of people overreact when they catch even a tiny whiff of someone's cigarette smoke. Personally, I think smoking on the midways is fine. There's enough room to move away from someone who is smoking if it offends you.

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-Mike B.
Son of Hulk
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*** This post was edited by Vater 8/4/2003 1:58:53 PM ***

They should have spots set up for smokers to smoke. Automatic ejection from park if caught smoking in Kiddyland and Water Park and Q lines. And have it printed on the back of the ticket with no ifs ands or butts. I hate cig smoke and it really bothers me cause its worse for me than it is for the person smoking it.

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Alpengeist,Beast,Hulk,MeanStreak,Nitro

I think it was Sunday school where I learned, "Let he who has never perpetuated a bad habit cast the first feel-good psychobabble mighter-than-thou slogan."

Or something like that. I never really payed attention to the specifics but I'm sure I got the gist of the lesson.

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Kevin Stone
NoLimits Roller Coaster Simulator
http://www.nolimitscoaster.de

You know, everyone was concerned that banning smoking from restaurants was really going to hurt business. But it didnt. Smoking is seriously on the decline and I would love to see more and more places do what they can to prevent smoking.

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Mac Forever.

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Crashmando said:
I hate cig smoke and it really bothers me cause its worse for me than it is for the person smoking it.

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What? How is it worse for you? Please explain, and be sure to include the misinformed individuals' names from whom you were fed this complete untruth.

And about getting ejected for smoking, lighten up. I had a lit cigarette a couple years ago in SFGAdv's kids' area, and a ride op spotted me and told me to put it out. I wasn't really thinking, since as a smoker lighting a cigarette was an impulse rather than a conscious decision. I immediately and respectfully put it out, acknowledging that I was not intentionally disobeying the rules. I honestly don't think something like that warrants ejection from the park. Give me a break.

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-Mike B.
Son of Hulk
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*** This post was edited by Vater 8/4/2003 2:13:04 PM ***

Vater has a point. It's not necessarily the smokers, it's the respectfulness towards others that the smokers show.

Anyone ever watch Penn & Teller's Bullsh*t on Showtime? One of their best episodes was on second hand smoke. The stats that have been shoved in your face for the past few years are about as reliable and spun as hard as Markey's take on the amusement industry.

What better way to get people behind a cause than to tell them someone else is killing their children?

Don't get me started... :(

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www.coasterimage.com
Dorney Park Visits in 2003: 15

Vater-It is becoming a widely known fact that secondhand smoke is much more harmful to the lungs than the smoke that the smoker is inhaling. I hope you were kidding, or being sarcastic.

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LeWiS

I think they should charge and extra $40 for people to smoke in the park. You wanna smoke you gotta bring in $40 and wear a braclet that says I kill people for a living!~
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Alpengeist,Beast,Hulk,MeanStreak,Nitro

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Vater said:
But I think a lot of people overreact when they catch even a tiny whiff of someone's cigarette smoke.

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But for some people who are allergic to cigarette smoke a "tiny whiff" can cause an allergic reaction.

What's your response to that?

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--George H
---Currency tracking experiment... http://www.wheresgeorge.com (Referring to The "George" on the $1 bill - Not Me)

I really don't care about the healthfulness of smoking. I just don't like to stink of smoke when I leave a park, and I don't like to breathe in smoke that has just been inside the mouth of some mullet-sporting, wife-beater-wearing redneck.

As far as other bad habits go, most bad habits don't affect anyone else. If NYC can ban smoking in bars, surely a little theme park can ban smoking.

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A day is a drop of water in the ocean of eternity. A week is seven drops.

I just think its very rude when you have to stand in line and people smoke. I hate when people blow smoke in my direction and no even care. I was at CP 3 weeks ago and this guy complained about a dude smoking in TTD Q. The ride person told them to put it out and the guy like freaked out. Was already to start swinging and stuff. If you can't handle not smoking for 10mins to 1 hour then don't wait in line!
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Alpengeist,Beast,Hulk,MeanStreak,Nitro

There seems to be some misconceptions on this board in regards to the dangers of secondhand smoke. The World Health Organization (WHO) has determined that there is no evidence that second hand smoke kills people. Yes it is annoying, but's that all. As far as allergies are concerned, my boss is allergic to my persian cat. If I have any small amount of cat hair on my clothes his he swells up if I walk within three feet of him. Does that mean we should kill all persian cats?

Here is a link:http://www.forces.org/articles/files/passive1.htm
*** This post was edited by PointMan 8/4/2003 2:38:34 PM ***

Maybe we should have 2 ride line Q. One for smokers and 1 for non smokers.

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Alpengeist,Beast,Hulk,MeanStreak,Nitro

Crashmando, you get the award for most posts in a single day by a new member.

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"You know its a good ride when you come into the final brake run wiping tears from your eyes."

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redman822 said:

But for some people who are allergic to cigarette smoke a "tiny whiff" can cause an allergic reaction. What's your response to that?

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They should ban bees too. I know a lot of people who get a severe allergic reaction to bee stings.

One of my bigest allergies is certain pollens. I want all flowers removed from Holiday World too. (which would probably solve the damn bee thing too ;) )

Actually, there's tons of crap in the world that kills you every day. Smoking is just the latest whipping boy.

Car exhaust comes to mind. Wonderful for the air quality. Everytime you guys drive to Holiday World you're killing us all. Maybe if they banned all amusement parks, not as many people would drive to them and we'd all live healthier.

How far do you take it? To me, the sudden hate of smoking is just as silly as my proposed ideas.

Go read PointMan's post. He's 100% correct on the stats.

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www.coasterimage.com
Dorney Park Visits in 2003: 15

*** This post was edited by Lord Gonchar 8/4/2003 2:39:52 PM ***