By Scotsman
Fri 21 Apr 2006
A SCOTTISH football club has been attacked for letting its supporters
light up on the touchline during a match in a bid to get round the
smoking ban.
Second division Raith Rovers allowed about 50 supporters to leave
the main stand at Starks Park and smoke next to the pitch at half
time during Saturday's 1-1 draw with Morton.
The club did not break the new anti-smoking law, which bans people
from smoking in the stand, as the track around the pitch is officially
designated as an open space and therefore not included in the legislation.
But last night the Kirkcaldy club was accused of breaking the spirit
of the new ban. Kenny Riddoch, the environmental services team leader
of Fife Council, urged the club to consider a complete ban on smoking
within all areas of the football ground.
He said football clubs should be setting an example by doing everything
they can to encourage young fans to give up.
Eric Drysdale, the director of Raith, refused to comment on whether
the club will impose a complete ban on smoking.
But he said Saturday's measure was a temporary solution to the smoking
issue.
He said: "Ninety minutes is a long time to go without a fag,
especially the way we have been playing this season."
Source by :
http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/scotland.cfm?id=599892006
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