Strict No Smoking Policy at Six Flags Great America

[RagingBullFan]

Now I know this is a few days old but I thought I'd post it here because I want to make sure everybody knows...

Six Flags Great America announced today the enforcement of a strict no-tolerance policy for guests who violate the park's designated smoking area policy. Effective April 26, opening day of the 2008 season, smokers who light up outside of designated smoking areas will be ejected without refund. This no-tolerance policy is in line with the Smoke-Free Illinois Act, which voters approved in May 2007 and takes effect January 1, 2008. Smoking has already been banned at numerous outdoor public places including Chicago beaches and playgrounds.

"The no-tolerance policy further enforces our commitment to improve the quality of the guest experience at our park," said Hank Salemi, Six Flags Great America park president. "Non-smoking guests deserve the right to breathe smoke-free air and this policy will send a message to smokers that we are serious about smoking only in designated areas."

The new policy will be communicated to guests though signage, in-park announcements, as well as all printed collateral including the park map and guide and admission tickets.

There are 11 designated smoking areas located throughout Six Flags Great America. Six Flags Inc. adopted a strict designated smoking area policy in 2006 as part of a company-wide effort to create a more family-friendly environment at all Six Flags parks.

I want to emphasize "Smokers who light up outside of designated smoking areas will be ejected without refund".

There will be much more security even than last season in the park. I just want to remind anyone that smokes in the park that the park is taking this issue VERY seriously this year. No more Mr. Nice Guy... Its straight out of the park if you decide to break the rules.

There will be more information on this as opening day comes closer.

[w00dland]

Now that you've got added security watching the lines for smokers, kick out the line jumpers too!

[frightfestkid]

Yay! but wouldn't you think gurrne would make SFGAm just smoke free.

[zjohn1988]

might as well do that...

[rico28]

I think a painted blue line is going to be in the entry plaza this year.
Where the no smoking starts and not just outside the entry gates.
Maybe it starts in front of six flags garden and parking lots ends.
Where the police car is parked on the fire lane!

[tp41190]

So can we still smoke inside the same areas that were designated last year? Because if smoking is only for outside the park, its going to be a pain to go out of the gate every couple of hours

Last year, they took my lighter and cigarettes because I didnt have an ID on me. That was a pain. And then other time I was by the Orleans Place bathroom, the one thats behind everything in the back, I was standing 1 foot away from circle because I wanted to sit down. And then the officer yelled at me and threatened to kick me out of the park.

[SixFlagsGuy76]

^^Well, maybe if you were 18, then it wouldn't be a problem. Based on what your "Myspace" which you linked says, you are 17.

[tp41190]

^No my Myspace is wrong. Its only under 18 so I could search for people who were under 16 that I am friends with.

[rico28]

[quote="RagingBullFan"]
There are 11 designated smoking areas located throughout Six Flags Great America. Six Flags Inc. adopted a strict designated smoking area policy in 2006 as part of a company-wide effort to create a more family-friendly environment at all Six Flags parks.

I want to emphasize "Smokers who light up outside of designated smoking areas will be ejected without refund".

To clear things up!

[w00dland]

^No my Myspace is wrong. Its only under 18 so I could search for people who were under 16 that I am friends with.

Solicitating minors on Myspace. Very nice.

And I think the park will keep all their smoking areas the same. It would be obnoxious if they made the entire park smoke free, thats alienating a lot of people and the park is outdoors!

[tp41190]

Dude Im not a petefile. I set it at under 18 so I could find friends that I go to school with. Then I forgot to change it back. And who cares, its just Myspace! I hate the site and barely use it anyway.

[sixflagsgurneeboy]

Now that you've got added security watching the lines for smokers, kick out the line jumpers too!

Exactly!

[MollysMomma]

I really hope they will have enough security to keep people from smoking in line. That's what I hate most about waiting, because obviously unlike on the midway, you can't move away from those who are smoking in line.

[Bob O]

I hope they do enforce this policy, and treat line jumpers in the same manner!!

[tp41190]

I think they should tone down the smoking policies and raise the line jumping policy. Make smoking 25% and line jumping 75%. I mean, how often does someone light up in front of you? Then how many times can you say that you saw someone line jump and they made you wait 1 more train? I think more people would get mad for line jumpers then smokers. So why should you get kicked out for something that is legal and outside...then something that is wrong no matter where you go.

[DejaVu2001]

^ Better idea. They're both rules, they should both be enforced 100%

[Aaron084]

I guess I'll believe this new policy when I see it. I guarantee we'll still have people standing in line smoking and walking midways smoking with security guards doing nothing about it.

[Chitown]

^They were doing this last year as a couple media articles came up about people getting tossed without a warning last year for smoking outside of the areas.

To SFGAm , its not a new rule this year. They are just emphasizing it more so people avoid getting tossed.

[Demon_07]

^Pretty much but I think line jumping is a MUCH bigger issue.

[sixflagsgurneeboy]

^I agree......

[Demon_07]

Who really cares if somebody is a few feet away from the designated area?

[Colonel Mustard]

The problem with the rule is that many employees will probably just ask people to put them out. What are they supposed to do? Escort them to security? Like the guests would go with them? And then what are they supposed to do. It's not like they can give security a description. I beleive that smoking should be enforced, but I think this is kind of nuts. Just ask people to put them out, if they don't, that's when you call security and get them out. At least that's my opinion.

[RagingBullFan]

There are more team members than just uniformed security officers that can eject violators from the park.

It is not the job of the employee to escort someone to security, if they see a violation security will be notified to deal with the situation.

[Colonel Mustard]

^And there isn't going to be one of them on hand everytime someone is smoking in the midway.

[Demon_07]

Just ask people to put them out, if they don't, that's when you call security and get them out. At least that's my opinion.

I agree. That's what I had to do last July when I was running the dunk tank at the lake zurich carnival. If someone stole a ball, you ask them to stop. If you catch them doing it again or being a smart ass, goodbye...