Disney smoking ban in U.S. only

Disney's amusement parks in Florida and California will be smoke-free from May 1.

All designated smoking areas at Walt Disney World, the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex and two water parks in Orlando, as well as Disneyland and the Downtown Disney District outdoor shopping center in Anaheim, will be eliminated.

However, it is understood that the ban won’t apply at the Shanghai Disney Resort, which includes Shanghai Disneyland, Disneytown and Wishing Star Park.

The resort’s website states that within the resort visitors can light up in designated areas.

However, a receptionist at the Disneytown information desk said it was all right if visitors didn't smoke in designated areas because it was legal to smoke in outdoor areas.

A female visitor guide said the same. “It is loosely managed in Disneytown, and inside the park staff members are mobilized to patrol around to persuade visitors to smoke in designated areas,” she said. “After all, there are more children in the park.”

Shanghai's tobacco control laws allow smoking in outdoor spaces, except for hospitals, schools, children’s welfare houses, sports venues, traffic centers and heritage sites. Parks are not included.

A woman visiting from the U.S. with her family was at Shanghai Disneyland on Monday. “There should be no smoking areas at all, and we are totally for a smoking ban,” she said.

However, a visitor from Australia said the designated smoking areas should be retained. “It’s outdoor space,” he said.

A local resident who was with his wife and 2-month-old son said: “I’ve seen people smoking in the park. The whole city is fighting against smoking and I think Shanghai Disneyland should also apply the smoking ban.”

Asked about the possibility of a ban, Shanghai Disney referred enquiries to the U.S.. So far, there has been no response.