Referreport
According to the “Pro Rauchfrei” initiative, there should be a general ban on smoking in all German football stadiums in the future. “Where the non-smoker is forced to smoke against his will and his health is damaged, the smoker’s freedom ends,” said Arne Weinhardt from Germany’s largest non-smoking association to the RBB. According to this, smoking in the stands is generally prohibited at six Bundesliga clubs and two second division clubs.
“It is very irritating for us how little is happening and how resistant to change the clubs are. “Especially since it has been clearly scientifically proven how harmful passive smoking is to health,” said Weinhardt. According to the club, many fans are now complaining to “Pro Rauchfrei” who feel bothered by cigarette smoke in the arenas.
In the narrow stands, spectators are forced to breathe in the smoke of those sitting next to them. Roofing the arenas would make it harder for smoke to escape. In many stadiums, even in family blocks, non-smoking is only voluntary.
Premier League is completely smoke-free
Mutual consideration alone rarely works, argues the non-smoking association. “We get a lot of reports that smokers, when asked not to smoke in the stadium, point out that it is allowed. And of course they are right and non-smokers have no chance,” said Weinhardt.
Accordingly, smoking in the Bundesliga is currently completely prohibited at Bayer Leverkusen, TSG Hoffenheim, FC Bayern Munich, SC Freiburg, RB Leipzig and Werder Bremen. In the English Premier League, all arenas are smoke-free, and violations are punished up to and including a stadium ban.
According to the wishes of “Pro Rauchfrei”, the decision on the issue should no longer be left to the clubs. “Health protection is a state legal monopoly and must not depend on the personal feelings of the association. “We would prefer a nationwide solution,” said Weinhardt.
Source: German