My boyfriend and I went to the Tacoma Mall in Washington State today to do a bit of window shopping and simple browsing. I made a quick stop to Gene Juarez to ask a question about gift certificates and went on my way.
We came up to the Smoking Everywhere Kiosk and asked the gentleman that was working there if Smoking Everywhere had any plans to remove itself from Washington as they have already done so in our neighboring state of Oregon. He enthusiastically reassured us that Smoking Everywhere had no intentions of not selling them here. At that point he offered us a demonstration of their product. My boyfriend and I politely declined and went on our way.
I began to discretely vape my e-cig by means of covering the LED and holding the vapor when a Mall Cop, that ironically had many similarities to Paul Blart, told me that I could not smoke in the Mall. My boyfriend patently told him that it was an electronic cigarette and that we weren't smoking. The mall cop responded with "Yeah, I know what they are and they are not allowed."
Say what?
I can tolerate blatant ignorance on the product but to have knowledge of them and still refuse them is inconceivable. I at that point asked if I would be allowed to use the nicotine gum, patch, or even Snus he informed me that it would be fine. I then asked why this policy is in effect if there is someone selling them right here in the mall advertising the legality of them and still be refused to use them, even discretely. He was extremely nervous and referred us to the mall information booth.
The lady at the information booth handed us a complaint form and we asked to speak to the mall manager. The management office was located a bit away and we had to go outside to find it. We managed to speak to someone that was head of marketing for the mall as the rest of the management were on a conference call in another room.
She informed us that it was Mall Policy that Electronic cigarettes are not allowed in the mall for the appearance of smoking. We tried to explain the health benefits and reinforcing the legality of these devices. She told me there were designated smoking areas located outside the building and to use our devices there.
She said that since the mall is private property that it has the right to make up the rules and patrons must respect the rules. This includes the selling of gang affiliation products but not the wearing of gang affiliation attire in the mall, maintaining a no cussing policy though there is freedom of speech.
I was dumbfounded by this as I felt I was being discriminated against for the appearance of cigarettes. I wanted to share this story with everyone here and possibly get suggestions on how to properly handle this. At this point I will not go to the Tacoma mall again and it seems that this policy is in effect for all Simon malls. (300 malls)
We came up to the Smoking Everywhere Kiosk and asked the gentleman that was working there if Smoking Everywhere had any plans to remove itself from Washington as they have already done so in our neighboring state of Oregon. He enthusiastically reassured us that Smoking Everywhere had no intentions of not selling them here. At that point he offered us a demonstration of their product. My boyfriend and I politely declined and went on our way.
I began to discretely vape my e-cig by means of covering the LED and holding the vapor when a Mall Cop, that ironically had many similarities to Paul Blart, told me that I could not smoke in the Mall. My boyfriend patently told him that it was an electronic cigarette and that we weren't smoking. The mall cop responded with "Yeah, I know what they are and they are not allowed."
Say what? I can tolerate blatant ignorance on the product but to have knowledge of them and still refuse them is inconceivable. I at that point asked if I would be allowed to use the nicotine gum, patch, or even Snus he informed me that it would be fine. I then asked why this policy is in effect if there is someone selling them right here in the mall advertising the legality of them and still be refused to use them, even discretely. He was extremely nervous and referred us to the mall information booth.
The lady at the information booth handed us a complaint form and we asked to speak to the mall manager. The management office was located a bit away and we had to go outside to find it. We managed to speak to someone that was head of marketing for the mall as the rest of the management were on a conference call in another room.
She informed us that it was Mall Policy that Electronic cigarettes are not allowed in the mall for the appearance of smoking. We tried to explain the health benefits and reinforcing the legality of these devices. She told me there were designated smoking areas located outside the building and to use our devices there.
She said that since the mall is private property that it has the right to make up the rules and patrons must respect the rules. This includes the selling of gang affiliation products but not the wearing of gang affiliation attire in the mall, maintaining a no cussing policy though there is freedom of speech.
I was dumbfounded by this as I felt I was being discriminated against for the appearance of cigarettes. I wanted to share this story with everyone here and possibly get suggestions on how to properly handle this. At this point I will not go to the Tacoma mall again and it seems that this policy is in effect for all Simon malls. (300 malls)
