<!--quoteo(post=727903:date=Jan 23 2010, 01:33 PM:name=DeaneWhite)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (DeaneWhite @ Jan 23 2010, 01:33 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=727903"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->It is illegal to smoke in the concourse areas under the stands- that much is true. Whether the stands themselves are covered by the definition "enclosed public place" or not is less clear. The FA and the Football League have mde it a directive that smoking is not allowed in any part of any stadium in the Prem or Football League. Even on open terraces in League Two it is enough to get you ejected and possibly a banning order.

 

The FA and Police have got another thing wrong, too. <b>Why is it perfectly ok to drink in the concourse, but an arrestable offence to drink in the seated areas?</b> Surely most people drink more sensibly if they aren't rushed. Buy a pint, take it into the stand and it will last most people the whjole half. Instead, people have a couple of pints before the game and then get a couple more at half time and have to down them. People are not discouraged from drinking when they are given time limits- they see it as a challenge!<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

 

you cannot drink in view of a football pitch on a match day.

 

hense why the corporate boxes have curtains they pull across the windows.

 

why you can have a beer at the cricket and rugby i'm not sure

 

I know the lagalities regarding views of the pitch, etc., but my point is that the FA and Police were consulted in the making of this law and they got it badly wrong. If there was ever a problem with alcohol and football, it wasn't that you were able to see the match whilst drinking. It is all the alcohol consumed before the game and topped up at half time that was the problem! I just don't understand their logic.

 

As for why it's allowed at cricket and rugby- the perceived wisdom is that there is a connection between hooliganism and alcohol in football, but there is no such thing as cricket or rugby hooliganism. For a start, there is crowd trouble in both those sports. And secondly, there are many members of various "firms" who drink less than Owen Coyle! Laws based purely on unsubstantiated myths.

 

As for smoking, the only non-smoker known to have ever died of passive-smoking related lung cancer was Roy Castle. And the fact that he played the trumpet which funnelled all the smoke into his mouth is rarely mentioned by those who see it as conclusive proof that passive smoking kills. I am not saying it doesn't, but I'm sure that living in a large town often choking on car exhaust fumes is a far more potent threat to health- and there is no sign of anyone ever banning the car!

 

The fact is, Government consistently interferes where the enjoyment of ordinary people are concerned. They marginalise football fans, but because the law makers tend to prefer cricket and rugby, they interfere less with these sports. Whilst Goprdon Brown was chancellor, he put up duty on popular drinks like beer- but exempted whisky. Now I wonder why that was........? Nothing to do with being Scottish and liking a "wee dram", by any chance? We will always face an uphill struggle with those who hold power. I just wonder how many people have actually stopped going to games as a direct result of the smoking ban. Unfortunately, there is no way that will be overturned, and as even outside areas are classed as a workplace, I doubt whether smoking pens would actually be lawful anyway.

 

PS: Sorry for the elongated political rant!

As for smoking, the only non-smoker known to have ever died of passive-smoking related lung cancer was Roy Castle. And the fact that he played the trumpet which funnelled all the smoke into his mouth is rarely mentioned by those who see it as conclusive proof that passive smoking kills.

Probably rarely mentioned because he tended to blow down the trumpet, rather than suck

Unlike the mon in this vid

Probably rarely mentioned because he tended to blow down the trumpet, rather than suck

Unlike the mon in this vid

 

As a musician myself, I know that when playing an instrument like a trumpet, when you breathe in, you breathe largely through the instrument. The point being that in so doing, he was in a completely different situation to being in an open stand.

 

As a smoker myself, I do not have a problem with the smoking ban in itself (except when things get a little nervy in a game!) but I do wonder whether it may have done for football attendances what it has done for the pub trade. I'm sure it isn't the cause in either case, but it has certainly not helped matters. Last Sunday as a case in point: game on Sky, Category A prices, freezing cold and no smoking. I'm sure many people would have been ok with one or two of those, but when taken together they would think twice before shelling out their ?27-?35 for a ticket- they can watch it at home in the warmth with a beer and a fag for free!

 

Like I say, I'm not against the ban- just the negative effects of it. We were told that more people would start going when the ban came in, as more who stayed at home because smoking was allowed than would stop going because it wasn't. That was simply not true and has battered at least two industries that were already being hit left, right and centre. Maybe not so bad in the Premier League, but from the Championship down to the Conference it is another problem for already struggling clubs.

 

With regards to their being tight security on smoking, as has been mentioned, the alternative is a massive fine for each case permitted by the club. Stats show that around a fifth of people smoke, so if all the smokers in the ground lit up the club could be fined for each one of the 4000-5000 people doing so. That would bankrupt the club within a week. The courts would also have the power to revoke alcohol licences and remove the club's ability to generate revenue in that way. If they turned a blind eye when people lit up, everyone would think it was ok to do it and follow suit.

 

All that said, there is only the smell of pies and Bovril to be removed from the matchday atmosphere now that pipe smoke and urine have largely been irradicated. I'm sure the health police will take those away soon as well!

smoking stinks, cant you do lines or take pills instead please?

 

seriously, im gettimg used to this smoke free state, wasnt arsed either way when it first came out, but the other day i found myself appaled that someone walking down the street infront of me was smoking i and i could smell it!

Anyone who can't hack 90 minutes without a niccy rush probably should see themselves of to The Priory.

smoking stinks, cant you do lines or take pills instead please?

 

seriously, im gettimg used to this smoke free state, wasnt arsed either way when it first came out, but the other day i found myself appaled that someone walking down the street infront of me was smoking i and i could smell it!

 

when i lived at home, my Dad smoked and never realised how bad it smelt.. however now when we go to Missus Grandparents, its shocking how much you smell of cigs.. Orrid !!

 

I'm in two minds about smoking, partially as i got laid off from a part time job in a bar, mainly due to the decline in customers. This was blamed on smokers not coming out, however i felt it was a lame excuse,

Its ?3 for a bottle of Stella in an average town centre bar.. You can get 12 for a tenner in Asda...

 

I lived at my dads with him soking for 24 years, so Ive probably inhaled shed loads anyway.

Edited January 25, 201016 yr by only1swanny

The club should sort something out really, for the ESL at least. Would improve the experience for a fair few, and avoid confrontation and the toilets reeking.

 

Alot of places offering it now, Wolves, Birmingham, West Brom, Derby. O2 on nye, Boxing at NIA & ExCel last year...no real reason not to.

The club should sort something out really, for the ESL at least. Would improve the experience for a fair few, and avoid confrontation and the toilets reeking.

 

Alot of places offering it now, Wolves, Birmingham, West Brom, Derby. O2 on nye, Boxing at NIA & ExCel last year...no real reason not to.

 

They're all from the Midlands. Clearly anything that could contribute to an early death for them would be preferable than having to live there.

Anyone who can't hack 90 minutes without a niccy rush probably should see themselves of to The Priory.

I tend to agree, if we use the logic of smokers:

 

Smokers have a ciggie break at work every 90 minutes and they cannot get on train/planes for more than 90 minutes hence never getting anywhere pretty much