Stadium Confirms Non Smoking Policy

As revealed on the site back in March, White Rock Stadium has become the first sporting venue in Wales to issue a complete ban on smoking. A press release this morning confirmed the news as follow

The new stadium at Swansea has become the first major sporting venue in Wales to announce a total ban on smoking. The ban includes all the concourses and seating areas inside the 20,000 capacity stadium as well as the 29 conference and hospitality suites. The radical decision has been taken as the £27m stadium builds on its reputation as the most modern stadium facility in Wales. It is also a direct move to attract more families to the stadium for matches featuring the Swans and the Ospreys. As Gerald Clement, Cabinet Member for Culture, Recreation and Tourism, Swansea Council, explains; "We're conscious that this is a venue for the whole region and we want to encourage as many people as possible to come and enjoy a day out watching the Swans or the Ospreys. We know that smoking can have a really adverse effect on people's enjoyment of a game and also of their whole matchday experience. Therefore, we've taken the decision to ban it completely. When you consider that nearly 70% of people in Wales don't smoke, we're sure that this will be a popular decision." He adds; "We took this decision after consultation with supporters and businesses involved in the stadium. The vast majority of supporters welcome the plans as it ensures that everyone will enjoy a great day out - especially families. Meanwhile the businesses involved in the stadium are obviously looking forward to taking advantage of our corporate hospitality and conferencing facilities in a smoke-free environment." The move, which is also part of the Smoking Free Swansea campaign, has already been welcomed by anti-smoking group Ash. Naomi King, Director of Ash In Wales, said "Figures show that 6000 people across Wales die each year as a result of smoking-related disease - easily the country's biggest cause of preventable death. This is a far-sighted move which ensures that all Ospreys and Swans supporters will be able to enjoy the matches without the threat and discomfort from passive smoking." She adds: "Besides the general smell and irritation caused by other people smoking the actual dangers from passive smoking are well documented. For example, it is estimated that exposure to second-hand smoke in work places across the UK leads to approximately 700 deaths a year - about three times as many deaths as from industrial accidents."

We asked fans back in March for their views on the subject and with over 500 votes cast, this was how the fans voted to the question "Should smoking be banned at White Rock?"

Photo: Action Images

Derby County Polls