Jeff Crider photo
Arizona RV Park Bans Smoking
J&H RV Park
J & H RV Park
When one of their campers had to be rushed to the hospital because of health problems caused by second hand smoke, Jo Ann and Harvey Mickelson took a bold step: They banned smoking at their park, making J & H RV Park one of the first in the nation to ban smoking outright.
But while the Mickelsons braced themselves for a negative reaction from the RVing public when they imposed the smoking ban two years ago, the opposition never materialized.
“The response has been incredibly positive,” Harvey Mickelson said. “I would say nearly half of the people who register tell me our non-smoking policy is why they came to our park.”
Jo Ann Mickelson added, “Smoking has been such a medical issue. Most people who do smoke want to quit anyway. And our policy certainly gives people an incredible incentive to quit smoking.”
No smoking is allowed inside or outside RVs at J & H RV Park. The rule applies to any kind of tobacco product as well as e-cigarettes. The sole exception is a small patio area where smokers are allowed to have a puff if they must. But it’s far enough away from the other RVs so as not to be nuisance for non-smokers.
“We don’t try to treat smokers as second class citizens,” Harvey Mickelson said. “But we want them to respect the rights of others who don’t smoke. One of our guests went to the hospital in 2012 because of second hand smoke and we don’t want that to happen again.”
It is not known how many RV parks in Arizona or across the country have banned smoking, but so far this year, the smoking ban is helping rather than hurting business.
“We’re already booked heavier than we’ve ever been for the summer season,” Harvey Mickelson said. “We’re turning away 10 to 12 people a day.”
J & H RV Park is a member of the Arizona Association of RV Parks & Campgrounds. For more information on campgrounds in Arizona, please visit www.GoCampingInArizona.com.