Thanks to everyone who took a moment to send a quick note to tell us your thoughts of smoking at the Edgehill Farm pool. Here’s every comment I received with names redacted since I never got permission to use names. Nonetheless, this is our feedback printed below:
Edgehill Farm Proposed Pool Smoking Policy Member Feedback
1. “Thanks for sharing this with us. Since you are asking for feedback, I will give you my thoughts. I personally am not a smoker, but like you said, smoking outdoors is legal. I think the association would be opening up a huge can of worms by attempting to create some formal rules about it.
Like anything else, common sense and consideration for others is all that is needed. If your a smoker and you are sitting very close to someone that doesn’t smoke, ask them if they mind or get up and smoke in an area that is more open. Don’t leave cigarette butts lying around. Be a bit discreet since none of us parents want our children to take up the habit. That is my biggest concern.
I think some people like to have a few drinks (alcoholic) when they are at the pool, which combined with the smoking might bother some people. I don’t go to the pool often but I have heard that people can get somewhat boisterous which personally does not bother me, but when children are there it is not a good example for them.
In terms of the drinking, I don’t know if there is a policy, but if not, I would think that the same would apply. Maybe there could be some hours designated as “adult time” so there is less worry about setting a bad example for the children.
Just my 2 cents.”
2. “I am a non-smoker for the record. If smokers could abide by the obvious common sense rules I would have no problem with reasonable (smoke down-wind and don’t burn the furniture) tobacco use at the pool. Since this is not likely to happen, given the choice, I would vote for a ban. Another point to consider is the litter. As you know my wife, Dianne, and I have done the planting at the pool for several years to save our HOA a few bucks. The planting beds are nothing more than large ash trays for some and many butts are tossed over the fence or simply snuffed out on the deck.”
3. “I’ll put in a personal vote for myself as I’m at the pool quite a bit in the summer. I am not a fan of smoking, but most of the people I see are fairly respectful when smoking, ie. going off to a chair by themselves or blowing smoke away from others. However, there have been a couple of times when I was at a chair first and a group of ladies would sit in the chairs right next to me (when others were available) and begin a smokefest in my direction.
So maybe just some courtesy rules for smoking?
1. Please bring your own ashtray and dispose of the ashes in your home.
2. Please try to sit away from others when smoking. If the pool is very full, ask your neighbor if they don’t mind smoking.
3. Please put out your cigarette butts in an ashtray and not on the pool concrete. And pick up those butts when finished.”
4. “Before even considering that the option of poolside smoking is up for debate, the Association and Management may want to consider the legal ramifications.
See this article from the Public Health Law and Policy website:
The most important part of the article is near the end. It reads:
“To limit potential legal liability in any future nuisance lawsuit, landlords and condo associations may want to consider banning or restricting smoking in common areas.”
Another thought to consider is that outdoor smoking is, in fact, NOT entirely legal under state law. Raleigh has banned outdoor smoking in parks and other outdoor areas. Durham is considering a similar ordinance. Boone, Asheville and Buncombe County have also passed restrictions on outdoor smoking. Several beach communities are considering banning smoking on their beaches. The list goes on and on.”
5. “I agree that the Edgehill smokers sometimes disregard others’ requests at the pool. I’m all for implementing a no smoking policy if it is enforceable.”
6. “If it comes to a vote, I will definitely support a no-smoking policy at the pool. Legal issues aside, cigarette smoke is disgusting to me personally and as it is I can only enjoy my own deck at my condo when my neighbors above and below me are not outside, as I get it from both directions when they are outside. Also I have to keep my windows closed for that same reason. So, it is a bit of a personal issue for me”
7. “In my opinion the pool is a family environment and we should be putting the health and the well-being of our families first. Unfortunately, when some chose to smoke the smoke spreads through out the environment affecting those who would just like the enjoy the pool. It is impossible to just move away from those individuals because the area is enclosed and the smoke spreads. I do not want to be exposed to second hand smoke and chose to stay away from areas that I would expect to be exposed. I also do not want my young child to be exposed to second hand smoke. Often, we have chosen to leave the pool because it is not a healthy environment for us to be in. In my opinion the pool and the surrounding pool area should be a smoke free environment.”
8. “I live at (address withheld) and have lived in Edgehill Farms for 15 years. My husband and I probably frequent the pool once or twice a week in the summer. I can say from my experience that the number of smokers at the pool is pretty small and for the most part they are very respectful of others at the pool. While it wouldn’t bother me to have smoking banned from the pool (I am not a smoker), I don’t think it is necessary. However, a notice sent out prior to the season and also posted at the pool for smokers to be respectful of others at the pool might be nice (i.e. sit further away from others, move if the smoke is bothering someone, go outside the pool area to smoke).”
9. “I am adamant about making sure smoking is banned. I understand outdoor smoking is allowed in the state, but we all pay our HOA dues and have a right to not expose our families to something potentially dangerous. If someone wants to smoke, they can walk out of the pool area and down to the pond. Keep in mind, this has nothing to do with my having kids. I use the pool on my own as well when I don’t have my kids with me, and I don’t want to be exposed to smoke myself.”
10. “We still own in Westview Cove but currently do not live there. Here is my opinion of the smoking issue at the pool, I personally do not care for second hand smoke; however it is in an outdoor area and not a confined space. People who are unable to rid themselves of this destructive habit should be able to smoke while they enjoy the pool. My suggestion is to designate a smoking area to try an appease everyone.”
11. “In order to prepare a response for a smoking policy, are you at liberty to disclose the concerns expressed by the 3 families? Does your comment about “smokers who make clear their disregard for non-smokers” mean that there are butts dropped and left on the pool patio? Do you know if any other associations have an open-air smoking restriction in community areas? I’ve asked my co-worker, who lives in Lochmere to check on their association rules, and will let you know.”
12. “Thanks for letting us know about this policy. Though I do not smoke, and do have a young daughter, I really don’t think that I am putting her in danger if we go to an outdoor pool and other people are smoking. Are the smokers cleaning up their butts? If not, that might be a different conversation. My opinion is that trying to enforce a tobacco-free policy at the pool (when obviously there are folks who want to light up while they sunbathe) will not only be a huge headache for you and the other board members, but will probably do more to break down the kind of neighborly environment that the pool area helps to create in the first place.”
13. “I was at the pool at least 15 to 20 times last summer with my grand kids and only recall smokers a couple of times so I don’t see it as a major concern.”
14. “Personally, I find the smell of tobacco smoke intolerable, and the presence of heavy smokers at the pool would hinder my enjoyment of this Edgehill amenity. I do understand that those who choose to smoke have a right to do so, and would suggest that there be a designated smoking “area” within the pool area limits. Hopefully that area could be far enough away from other pool areas that smokers and non-smokers might both be accommodated.”
15. “My wish would be for a smoking section at the pool. Since smoke invades the personal space of a non-smoker, the only reasonable solution is to let smokers invade smokers, by setting as section. I’d choose the place by how the wind will blow the smoke most often – away from the pool and recreation area. If a smoker chooses to ignore the rule when asked by another neighbor to use the smoking section, they should be fined.”
16. “Even though I am no longer a smoker, I don’t believe it is fair to infringe on the personal rights of my neighbors. At the very most, designate a specific area for smoking at the pool. Do not ban it.”
- “There should be a smoking area at the corner of the building. So no I do NOT support a non-smoking pool.”
- “To me, I am fine either way–smoking or no smoking on the pool area. I can understand families wanting no smoking and I can understand smokers wanting to be able to smoke outside. Either way I am ok with the general consensus. “
19. “Please make the pool area tobacco smoke free at all times. I know you are aware of all the negatives associated with smoking, and those of us who take our children and grandchildren do NOT want them exposed to smoke. If someone smokes at the pool, the smell drifts across the area and is unhealthy for the rest of us. For example, as soon as my oldest daughter smells smoke, she immediately begins to cough, and she soon becomes physically ill. She does not recover for several days after that. If people want to smoke, let them do so in their own homes. Thank you for your consideration of this no-smoking policy.”
- “Absolutely a good idea to ban smoking around the pool. Nobody can enjoy the fresh summer time air while breathing in someone else’s second hand smoke.”
- “Controversial issue indeed. I have some questions though: If we decide to implement a no smoking policy in and about the pool, will we be in a position to enforce it? I think we can post signs requesting that people refrain from smoking, but it only takes one individual to say that outdoor smoking is permitted by state law. Then what? Will we then have individuals exhibiting some defiant behavior? While I completely understand those who would like to see smoking banished around the pool, I don’t know if it can be done. Perhaps, there is a loophole somewhere which would allow us to say “No Smoking.”
- “I would prefer if there was no smoking in the pool area.”
- I vote to provide a smoke free pool area. This would provide a cleaner environment for the children and for those who cannot breath this smoke.
- “The two of us vote against smoking in any areas close to the pool.”
- “People should be allowed to smoke at the pool given a particular area and should be allowed to smoke in the roadways.”
- “Thank you for soliciting feedback/opinions re: smoking at the pool. The pool area is a small contained area, with very limited seating choices, that non smokers find it difficult to move away from smoke. The wind direction is also a factor that makes it difficult to stay clear of outdoor smoke at the pool. My daughter has asthma and other allergies. The smoking at the pool limits our usage time at the pool. Therefore, a smoking ban would be our vote if that is even possible.”
27. “I was curious to know what Wake Counties Rules are and found this:
http://www.raleighnc.gov/arts/content/PRecRecreation/Articles/AquaticsPoolRules.html
I suspect that to be within the law, the pool should have a designated smoking area. Personally, I’d put it outside the gate to the pool, as far from the opening as possible, but, if not, give em a corner as isolated as possible.”
28. “The neighbors I have spoken to about the no smoking at the pool
all say it could not be enforced. As smoking outdoors is accepted it
would also cause more contention. Maybe a sign saying “smokers be
considerate of your neighbors?”
29. “I prefer that there be no smoking at the pool…..Sorry I am so late with my response as we have been out of town…Thanks for doing such a good job and keeping us informed.”
30. “I don’t smoke……..but………..i think that if someone wants to smoke outside they should be able to. Non-smokers have had their rights accommodated in every other area. To take the outdoors away from smokers is just wrong. Non-smokers think they are the only ones who have rights and they’re not. I think that as an association it should be left alone. To start this war in our community is a mistake. If someone who doesn’t smoke doesn’t want to be at the pool because there are smokers there they can leave…..If smoking bothers me I leave and I am a cancer survivor. People need to get over trying to tell everyone else what to do. That’s my opinion. “