Gillingham’s Priestfield Stadium has gone smoke-free – in line with the new regulations which came into force on Sunday.
The ground, along with all other stadiums in the Football League, will ban smoking in all parts – exceeding government legislation.
Almost 80 per cent of the fans who participated in The Football League Supporters' Survey 2006 advocated the introduction of some form of 'smoke free' policy at matches, with half of all fans wanting an outright ban.
The introduction of the new policy followed a unanimous decision by Coca-Cola Championship clubs to move to a smoke free match-day environment. The League then held lengthy consultations with all clubs before finalising the detail of the policy.
The league's decision delighted Caroline Flint, the Minister of State for Public Health: “It's great to see the Football League taking such a forward looking approach, which goes above and beyond the requirements of the smoke free legislation that is being introduced.
"Second hand smoke kills, so I applaud this move which can only have a positive affect on the health both of staff working at Football League stadiums and of football supporters watching the matches."
POSTED: 02/07/2007 09:17:58
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