Smoking Areas

[Purplehaze]

I am with tomkatt7. I will always smoke while there also. Actually this subject suxs for the fact someone is going to complain. If it is not the non-smoker complaining about smoke and their right not to inhale it, it is the smoker complaining about their right to be able to smoke.

This subject is a no win for anyone. Be happy they have them. If not people will smoke, even in bathroom stalls. Go pull down your pants, squat and lite up a butt (no pun intended). Whats worse? Walking into a bathroom that already smells like urine and add smoke to the list? Or having someone smoking out in open air that is well ventilated.

I am a considerate smoker. If I think my smoke is bothering someone I will put it out or move. When I go to the casino , smoking is allowed. If I smoke I will ask the person next to me if they mind. And if I do I will refrain from doing so. I do not even smoke in my house for when guests visit I want clean air for them.

Ok thats enough. Time to go light one up.

[shark6495]

donnie you are a "good" smoker... I hate when I am asked if I mind if the person next to me smokes... I mean honestly I do mind but I do not ever want to tell someone what they can or cannot do.....

[Purplehaze]

Shark ? Mind if I smoke? ha

[shark6495]

ha go right ahead... i mean Ill be sitting next to some dude/girl and they go "do you mind if I smoke" and Im like well technically i would like to not smell like smoke... but "sure go right a head" because I dont ask if I talk on my phone next to you..... to each their own

[chaddie]

When I was at the park yesterday, I really did take notice of the smoking areas. Most of them seem to be by the trash dumpsters or behind the restrooms. While I would still prefer a smoke-free park, I think KI has done a good job of putting the smoking areas out of the way, in areas that are "less frequented" by guests!

[CedarPointer]

When I was at the park yesterday, I really did take notice of the smoking areas. Most of them seem to be by the trash dumpsters or behind the restrooms. While I would still prefer a smoke-free park, I think KI has done a good job of putting the smoking areas out of the way, in areas that are "less frequented" by guests!

So, you consider Diamondback's exit, the center of Coney Mall's midway, a path to Planet Snoopy, and one directly next to the main gate "out of the way"?

[chaddie]

When I was at the park yesterday, I really did take notice of the smoking areas. Most of them seem to be by the trash dumpsters or behind the restrooms. While I would still prefer a smoke-free park, I think KI has done a good job of putting the smoking areas out of the way, in areas that are "less frequented" by guests!

So, you consider Diamondback's exit, the center of Coney Mall's midway, a path to Planet Snoopy, and one directly next to the main gate "out of the way"?

No, which is why I said MOST and not ALL! There are 14 areas and only 4 of them seem to be in popular areas!

[74Gibson]

I greatly appreciate KI enforcing smoking policies and smokers being respectful and staying in the designated areas.

That said, should we really be asking them to stand next to a dumpster?

[buckeyemaniac]

I greatly appreciate KI enforcing smoking policies and smokers being respectful and staying in the designated areas.

That said, should we really be asking them to stand next to a dumpster?

yes, beggars can't be choosers.

[74Gibson]

Why are they beggars?

[shark6495]

I greatly appreciate KI enforcing smoking policies and smokers being respectful and staying in the designated areas.

That said, should we really be asking them to stand next to a dumpster?

yes, beggars can't be choosers.

Wow.... arent you begging for their to be no smoking in the park?

[LongliveKingsCobra]

I have no problem with smoking. I smoke my self, and I enjoy a light every once in a while. That being said, a dear freind of mine needs a double lung transplant, so I learned and cut back on smoking. While in the park I don't need a smoke, but I usally smoke one on the way to the park, and on the way back. The areas are there for those that need it. I don't think there is a problem with smoking in the park at all. Those complaining about the smoke drifiting out of the area, or they are to close to the path, then simply don't go that way. There are zillions of ways to get to a different section of the park, save FOF and Firehawk (The section of the park is slipping my mind). Just don't walk by those areas, and if its that big of a deal, don't go to the park at all.

[buckeyemaniac]

Why are they beggars?

because the park could very easily not allow smoking at all.

[Purplehaze]

And the park could very well add more smoking areas, careful what you say!

[74Gibson]

Why are they beggars?

because the park could very easily not allow smoking at all.

Theoretically they can. Realistically, if they ban smoking people will sneak it and they'll have tons of nasy PR situations, arguments with security and disgruntled former patrons. Look at how much grief SFOT is getting for trying to deny a women with gun tattoos admission.

[buckeyemaniac]

Why are they beggars?

because the park could very easily not allow smoking at all.

Theoretically they can. Realistically, if they ban smoking people will sneak it and they'll have tons of nasy PR situations, arguments with security and disgruntled former patrons. Look at how much grief SFOT is getting for trying to deny a women with gun tattoos admission.

gun tattoos don't negatively affect other people.

[74Gibson]

^ why did you think that was my point?

[Purplehaze]

This is not a forum to promote negativity, even on the smoking front. Nothing here in this smoking thread will change anything. If you are a non smoker and complaining cause there are smoking sections, shame on you! If you are a smoker complaining about not enough areas then shame on you too.

[Tomkatt7]

This is not a forum to promote negativity, even on the smoking front. Nothing here in this smoking thread will change anything. If you are a non smoker and complaining cause there are smoking sections, shame on you! If you are a smoker complaining about not enough areas then shame on you too.

Too true.

The park has smoking sections right now because legally they are allowed to and they choose to accommodate all of their guests. Things may not stay that way. They may. Who knows?

I will offer another little gem of knowledge to the non smokers. Almost all smokers would like to quit. It isn't easy. I have tried several times and failed. I will make it eventually, just not yet. Encouraging a smoker to quit is not necessary, complaining about smokers has a negative effect. I have never known of a smoker putting out a cigarette because people were being nasty, and self righteous. If anything it causes more smoking. If someone came in to a smoking area and was complaining about the smoke, it would only cause me to wander a little nit out of the area, and smoke a little more. They have signs, but not a positively marked boundary. I can always say that if i can see the designated smoking area sign, then I am in the area. You can't prove that wrong.

Give the smoking thing a rest. Non-smokers don't like it. We get it. Leave us alone, and we'll leave you alone.

[CedarPointer]

They need to make smoking outside of a designated area a rule violation that would result in immediate removal from the park. That might actually stop it. If you follow the rules, you're fine. If you blissfully ignore all the posted information, audible announcements, and the information in the park map about designated areas, then it's YOUR fault.

[buckeyemaniac]

^ why did you think that was my point?

I didn't. I was saying its ridiculous to go after someone who has a non offensive tattoo, but it would not be ridiculous to go after people that are sneaking in products that are banned and hurt others.

[74Gibson]

Buckeye, I get it now. I agree and think that harming others is the true underlying issue in the smoking debate. However, it doesn't change the fact that CF would face many very unhappy people if they banned smoking. It would be a difficult move and would have a considerable economic impact... actually I think it would be positive in the long run based on the smoking ban in my hometown, but that doesn't mean I'd want to go through the transition if it was my park.

Donnie and Tomcatt I'm with you. I don't like second smoke but am happy to enjoy the day with smokers as long as I don't have to breath it. Almost every time I go to a park I'm with smokers. I get sad when I see people smoking around their kids and sometimes when I see my friends smoke but I'll never dislike someone over it.

[buckeyemaniac]

Buckeye, I get it now. I agree and think that harming others is the true underlying issue in the smoking debate. However, it doesn't change the fact that CF would face many very unhappy people if they banned smoking. It would be a difficult move and would have a considerable economic impact... actually I think it would be positive in the long run based on the smoking ban in my hometown, but that doesn't mean I'd want to go through the transition if it was my park.

Donnie and Tomcatt I'm with you. I don't like second smoke but am happy to enjoy the day with smokers as long as I don't have to breath it. Almost every time I go to a park I'm with smokers. I get sad when I see people smoking around their kids and sometimes when I see my friends smoke but I'll never dislike someone over it.

For me, the health impact is the only issue in the smoking debate. I also doubt that banning smoking in the park would affect attendance negatively. KI is not a destination park, there isn't another big name park within 4ish hours of KI. The lessons learned from Smoke Free Ohio also would lend credence to my argument that attendance would not be negatively affected, because despite what some argued, attendance in bars and restaurants actually increased after Smoke Free Ohio was implemented. Now I understand there are not as many people who would refuse to go to an amusement park because of smoking, but I also doubt too many people would stop going because of a ban on smoking.

[KI Kevin]

Tomkatt: I totally agree that most smokers would like to quit. And I know it's not easy. My grandma recently quit after 50-some years, and it took her several months.

However, the same grandma is now on oxygen all the time and is wheezing nonstop. When we (or I) say we don't want people smoking at KI, we're not just thinking about breathing in second-hand smoke, we (or I) are thinking about how harmful it is to the smokers and worried that they'll end up the same way. May just be me though.

[CedarPointer]

However, it doesn't change the fact that CF would face many very unhappy people if they banned smoking..

Why? They face many unhappy people now when associates explain the park's smoking policy to guests. Banning it totally would make it easier- no arguments about how far the designated area extends (seriously? Most are fairly obvious...), no more people who put out their cigarette then light another one as soon as the associate leaves, etc.

[Pillsberry123]

I haven't bothered reading this entire topic, so I'll just post based off of what I've read in the first 2 pages.

Considering the fact that we pollute the air with our cars, semis, buildings, ect... walking within 50 feet of someone exhaling a puff of cigarette smoke isn't going to do anything substantial. Do I think secondhand smoke is a problem? Sure, but overkill is a problem, too. There are far worse things you can be exposed to other than a slight stench of smoke from off in the distance (example: firsthand smoke from your own cigarette).

What I find to be hilarious is the fact that people wonder why the park allows people to smoke. I don't know if other people realize this, but amusement parks are meant to make the days of their guests as enjoyable as possible. People would be upset and possibly not visit if they weren't allowed to smoke. Smokers are people, too, and if they want to smoke and damage their lungs then that's their choice. They even have their own area to do it, so stop complaining and get a life...

This is coming from a person who has only smoked once, hated it, never plans on doing it again, and thinks that smoking is disgusting.

[74Gibson]

Considering the fact that we pollute the air with our cars, semis, buildings, ect... walking within 50 feet of someone exhaling a puff of cigarette smoke isn't going to do anything substantial. Do I think secondhand smoke is a problem? Sure, but overkill is a problem, too. There are far worse things you can be exposed to other than a slight stench of smoke from off in the distance (example: firsthand smoke from your own cigarette).

First off, welcome to KIC.

So, because we are already exposed to unhealthy ammounts of pollution from other sources we shouldn't mind being exposed to someone's pollution for pleasure. You just don't have a good arguement.

Cedar Pointer makes a good point about already having messy situations enforcing the smoking policy in the park and I agree with you Buckeye. The more I think about it the more I believe banning smoking would not have a negative impact on attendance or per cap spending. Like I said in my last post, we had the same agruments over Fort Wayne's smoking ban and it has not turned out to be harmfull to businesses. Some closed and said it was because of the ban but they were obviously already on the way out.

Now I can play gigs and breath easy

[Purplehaze]

Once again, neither side wins here. But I know one thing makes me want to light up right now and drink coffee. brb.

[StalkerChick]

I'll give you a little insight from the view of a smoker. I am happy to have all the areas. Nothing would suck more than to be in an area, and have to walk a long way to get to a smoking section. As long as they have smoking areas I will use them. Yes, I know, some people don't. I can't control those people, and for blanket statements to be made that "Smokers don't pay attention to the areas, and smoke wherever they want" is not fair. I do think though, that if the park was ever changed to a non smoking park, the problem would be worse. If I am going to spend an entire day in the park, I will smoke, end of story. I will just be doing it anywhere I can get away with it. I won't be worried about being thrown out, because #1, like The Interpreter already said, I'll just take my money somewhere else. They don't want that. #2, The park can't control line jumping, vandalism, and crude language that is done right in front of them, how are they going to enforce smoking?

Having said all that, I have kids too. I think there should be NO smoking areas in the kids area at all, and I would limit it to one very closely monitored area in Boomerang Bay where so many people are running around barefoot.

can i just applaud this whole thing? First off, in the water park is a stretch, and i'm saying this as a smoker. And reading this, I'm in my head going "There's a smoking area by Planet Snoopy?!?!" I had no idea and there should not be a smoking area in the kids area. 100% agreed on that. And i agree that people will sneak off to smoke, I've seen it anywhere and everywhere (even at the zoo)

When I was at the park yesterday, I really did take notice of the smoking areas. Most of them seem to be by the trash dumpsters or behind the restrooms. While I would still prefer a smoke-free park, I think KI has done a good job of putting the smoking areas out of the way, in areas that are "less frequented" by guests!

So, you consider Diamondback's exit, the center of Coney Mall's midway, a path to Planet Snoopy, and one directly next to the main gate "out of the way"?

1. the main gate one is quite a ways off to the side, on the other side of the restrooms! it doesn't really affect the guests. ever. took me forever to realize there was something in that corner. does it affect the employees walking in that way, perhaps. but not the guests. this spot is null.

2 DB's exit is kind of a stretch... if they stay there, and actually go around the corner, which could use a bench to get ppl away from the midway and patio) then its not bad

3. i don't think i've ever seen this plant snoopy one.

4. the coney mall one is kind of a stretch and an iffy. i dont ever notice it. at all. especially if the ppl are actually smoking in the middle of it like they're supposed to and not around the outside area right on the midway. i keep forgetting its there acutally

And as for the whole Tower Gardens bit. I think its a GREAT idea!!! Honestly how many of you complaining walked through there everyday you were there last year? Oh? you didnt? ok. now that thats over with... Everyone complains about how trashy it is and how much upkeep they have to do that they're avoiding it til it gets done. Well the park thought hmmm.. how can we bring ppl into the Garden? I love it!! i can walk around in there and smoke if i want, and its full of people now! no one used to ever walk through it. ppl would go around to the emporium and stay on the pavement. Now its kinda bustling. and its a great place to just chill and relax and destress to go ride another ride. I love the Tower Gardens smoking area.

[Purplehaze]

I love tower gardens also stalker chick. I was in there yesterday waiting on chaddie and terpy. It was cool and shady. LOVE IT!