Smoking Policy

On the midways employees are told to enforce the policy. For queues where the employee can actively monitor the queues (some rides you can't monitor them say, Millie, ect.) we do watch. Smoking in the queues was never too much of a problem, and if I caught someone I'd tell them to put it out or get out of line, no problems. Midway smoking I'd do the same thing, again no issues.

The problem is that there are several thousand people in the park and you pass hundreds at a time during a typical walk from point a to b working, we can't get or see everyone. Bring it up to an employee and we will solve it, especially security. If they don't take a CP nametag and uniform seriously, they'll take someone with a badge.

Now I'm sorry you had these issues, but people are people, best to just shield the kids from em if you don't want em hearing the language or explain to them the predicament, because you can't control or expect a behavior out of someone other than youself.

Back in the day, they were on line jumping like white on rice, sometimes you'd wonder, how'd they see them? Plus they had the signs plastered all over the queues and them stating it could result in eviction from the park. It didn't happen that often but when it did, it was a team of security and usually there wasn't any resistance from the offenders. Funny, back then people smoked all over the place, lines, midway, always the girl with the broom and stand-up pan walking around.

I don't see any signs about line jumping let alone any kind of enforcement nowadays. I don't recall seeing no smoking signs either but maybe I wasn't paying attention to that.

I wonder why they have become so lax on these things? Are they afraid of a scuffle or afraid fast-laners would get harassed even more?

Edit: Sorry, devarious, didn't see your post. Thanks.

Line jumping is enforced, I was a nazi about it, and I kicked them out of the line, if they got rowdy I got them out of the park.

There are signs posted at every ride entrance and also in the ride admission policy, ect.

Didn't read your whole post either sorry lols

Rotor said:
I'm not sure the dramatic exaggerations you're referring to.

The simple fact that you think a lawsuit is reasonable recourse for your unfortunate experience is the only example that needs pointed out. But I was referring specifically to the three comments I quoted prior to making that statement.

...nothing is done from the preventative side other than hanging up some signs.

They make the rules clearly known. Aside from that, what exactly are they supposed to do? Have a public lynching of smokers so as to serve as a warning to others?

Just putting up video cameras alone would eliminate so much of this, especially the line cutting.

You're probably right (though this is not preventative - it is a reactive measure). But how much are you willing to pay for a ticket/season pass? Because in addition to the cost of the camera system, the park would need to employ a helluva lot of people to constantly monitor those feeds. And all that expense for what? A few disgruntled guests who are so unreasonable that think they have legal standing to sue?

Being around inconsiderate smokers sucks, I agree. But you're blowing this way out of proportion.

thedevariouseffect said:

There are signs posted at every ride entrance and also in the ride admission policy, ect.

Yeah, those signs are like reading the fine print of a contract, lol! Maybe there is something in there about line jumping, maybe there's something in there about shirt and shoes. I think it was more effective when they had separate signs for these things. "You must be THIS tall to ride ___"

I haven't had any problem with people smoking in lines I'm waiting in but I have watched kids enter Turnpike Cars through the exit to join older siblings, run back out drop their pants to pee in the grass and run back in through the exit all while their parent watched.

How much do you want to sue the park for over this event? Admition or are there other expenses? I don't feel you can go to anywhere with 40000+ people and not find a few inconciderate people. Ballgames, parks, etc. These people are everywhere giving the rest of us a bad name. Non smokers too. I'm sure we all can think of at least one person that doesn't smoke but is a jackass. I don't really think the problem is that huge that we need the nazi squad to patrol the park. Smile and enjoy life. You only have to be in these peoples presence for a few minutes.

redsfan said:
But until it becomes illegal to smoke outside I can't see anyone getting booted from the park.

Well since the park is private property and in the State of Ohio, they can actually remove and ban anyone from the property at anytime they wish. Return and it is criminal trespassing.

I used to smoke at the park, and when I did, it was always in the designated areas. I really can't stand walking behind a piece of trash on the Frontier Trail who can't wait to light up a damn cigarette, not thinking about anybody who is walking behind them. This isn't your local county fair, this is Cedar Point.

What I wish Cedar Point would do, is station 1 or 2 security personnel at ever ride throughout the queue to enforce such rules. That way, fighting, smoking, and line jumping won't occur (as often at least)...AND a ride host won't have to wait forever for a security guard to get to the ride if there is a problem. Honestly, I don't know where all of security is throughout the day, but I only see them at a ride whenever there is a problem. If this were the case, I would like to guarantee the problem is fixed, if not drastically reduced.

All it takes is one or two idiot couples smoking their heads off to ruin it for everyone -- just one person smoking spreads the smoke all over.

I always ask them to stop smoking if I see it in a non-smoking area. Nine times out of ten you DO get a rude response, normally along the line of "I paid a fortune to get in here I can do whatever I want". I have numerous responses ready to go, but simply reminding them "you can be ejected from the park for smoking in non-smoking areas, and I won't hesitate to draw attention to security" usually stops it with a curse and some colorful language.

The reality is, Cedar Point has taken NO steps to enforce this other than providing some smoking areas that are actually located in places that non-smokers have to walk through (except for along the lagoon near the Dinosaurs Alive entrance). Providing a smoking area adjacent to the train station in Frontiertown where smoke blows into the waiting area is not sufficient.

But their employees certainly do not enforce the smoking policy. If I was working there for 7.85 and hour, I also wouldn't be bothering to enforce anything like a smoking policy and get harrassed by guests. But since I am not in that situation, and physically I am probably twice as large as most of the smoking punks, I have zero problem saying something.

Don't look for Cedar Point to be doing anything about this unless they are forced to by law.

As a non-smoker who really doesn't like being around inconsiderate smokers, I'd just like to say that the animosity and name calling is just childish and uncalled for.

You say that you get a rude response, but I'm willing to bet, with 99% certainty, that you're giving the attitude, and that's why it comes right back.

No matter what I was doing, if someone came at me spitting venom, I'd immediately go on the defense and tell them to f right off, too.

e x i t english said:
You say that you get a rude response, but I'm willing to bet, with 99% certainty, that you're giving the attitude, and that's why it comes right back.

Exactly this.

I've seen people confront smokers/line jumpers countless times, and when those confrontations are done with respect/class/humor/etc., the offender almost always cowers and abides (like The Dude).

When people are passive aggressive (exaggeratedly cough or are just antagonistic toward the offenders, etc.), the response is exactly as Josh describes.

As previous employee at the park, I will tell you that you're wrong. When I first started, I tried enforcing the rule as much as possible, but 9 times out 10 got a rude response from some punk (no matter what age), who is trying to be cool in front of his girlfriend or friends. It happens whether you're nice or rude to them.

Maybe you're not as nice as you think. ;)

To go on what I asked about earlier...

The simplest and easiest method (that I can think of) is to just have prominent No Smoking/No Line Cutting signs with a number to report issues. Have it similar to the bathrooms where you have a code with what the ride is and even where at in the queue. For example: "MFQ03" for Millennium Force Queue - Section 03.

People would be more likely to report the issue as they wouldn't have to confront the person. Of course Cedar Point would have to enforce the rules to mean anything. They can either, have the person put out the cigarette, put the person at the end of the line (don't give them the chance) or out-right kick them out.

In my opinion you can't say, "I spent money I can do what I want..." Disney is much more expensive and you certainly can't smoke in line there.

TwistedWicker77 said:
9 times out 10 got a rude response from some punk (no matter what age),

I can tell, just from this response, that you weren't a nice as you think. When you approach a situation like that, and your true feelings are "some punk" - it shows.

It's not about what you say to them, rather the vibe you give off and the manner in which you say it.

I can guarantee that if you approached the situation in an authoritative, yet non-threatening manner, it would have been different.

"Hey guys, I know we're outside and everything, but we're a non-smoking park except in designated areas. We even have nice chairs for you to chill in while you're finishing your smoke, if you'd please just follow me/step over there, we'd really appreciate it." will get you so much further than "Excuse me, you need to put that out", or "excuse me, we don't allow smoking here, take it to a designated area."

The 2nd and 3rd statements I typed say the exact same thing as the first one, only they come off as abrasive and, for lack of a better word, dick-ish.

I suspect with 10% of the profits they made just today they could install a video security system along the lines of all the major rides. Obviously no one is going to be watching these all the time, but the digital feed from all cameras could be stored for upto 72 hours, so at any point CP security could receive a text, instantly go to the video feed, rewind to look for the incident, and confront the person with irrefutable video evidence of what they'd done. The presence of the cameras and an anonymous tip number would instantly eliminate 99.99% of all issues before they began. And even if it did mean an increase in ticket prices, I'd happily pay it. How could this possibly not exist in the first place? Most stadiums that take in far less profits have extensive video surveillance.

Expecting their poor employees to enforce this policy is ridiculous. They don't want to confront belligerent d-bags anymore than the rest of us. And they only have a crumb more authority than you or I either. It's CP *Security* who should be doing this. Which, too, could and should be beefed up. How much could it cost to employ 20 extra people? The effect would be instantaneous.

Smoking is a problem at Cedar Point. Why is it a problem? Because there are no consequences. As mentioned in the thread, people pay a lot of money to get into the park. Removing people from the park who choose to break the rules will deter the problem. And it is a problem. If you are trying to have a relaxing walk along Frontier Trail and some ignorant person is smoking ahead of you, the walk is not enjoyable. Cedar Point provides smoking areas and that is where they belong. I have NO problem when I walk by a designated smoking area and smell smoke. However, I should be subject to the disgusting smell of cigarettes while trying to enjoy my day at the park.

I say throw them out and you will deter the problem. If they can strictly enforce the backpack policy on Gatekeeper, they can enforce their smoking policy in the park.

Smoking is not a problem at Cedar Point. The problem is with the person smoking OR the people that are around them and do nothing about it, yes even you as a stranger. I personally have requested people to stop smoking or have directed them to the nearest smoking area and 90% of the time the smoker will put out their cigarette or go to the smoking area. And yes I am a smoker. As far as line jumping I have so far this year confronted at least 8 people line jumping. I told them "You are line jumping which is against park policy, please go back to the end of the line." I have heard many excuses like I am meeting my friends, I had to go to the bathroom, etc. I keep my handy park map and guide with me at all times for situations like this. I have had to show some of the people the policy on smoking and line jumping and then ask them "Do you want to do the right thing or do you want to be removed from the park without refund? The choice is yours."
Each and every time has ended with the guest making the choice to follow policy.
It is all in the way you talk to them.
I personally as a smoker have no problem with any property banning or limiting smoking. It is their property and their rules. If you don't like how rules and policies are being enforced you have options contact management and voice your concern, be polite and respectful and do your part to help enforce it, do nothing, or don't go back.

First of all thank you for using the designated smoking areas and respecting the rules of the park. However, I disagree with saying it is not a problem. I have been to Cedar Point a dozen times this year and each time have been subject to many people not following the non-smoking policy. In addition, it is not my job, your job or any other park visitors job to enforce the rules. I still feel you start removing people from the park without refunds the smoking will cut down substantially. I believe the hotels charge a $250 or $300 if they catch you smoking in the room. While it may not totally eliminate the problem, I am sure people think twice about lighting up inside a room knowing it could cost them a lot of money.