Glasgow 2014: Campaigners call for smoke-free games

ANTI-SMOKING charity Ash Scotland has called on the organisers of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow to make the event completely ‘smoke-free’.
The Emirates Arena, one of the key venues for the Commonwealth Games next year. Picture: Robert PerryThe Emirates Arena, one of the key venues for the Commonwealth Games next year. Picture: Robert Perry
The Emirates Arena, one of the key venues for the Commonwealth Games next year. Picture: Robert Perry

Ash Scotland believe that a blanket ban on smoking at venues, with no designated smoking areas, would represent the first-such ban at an event of this size.

Ash Scotland chief executive Sheila Duffy said: “This event is about celebrating people’s achievements... and smoking works against that because it undermines health.”

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The Scottish Government strategy on smoking is to ‘denormalise’ the practice, with a target of cutting smoking rates from the current 21% to 5% by 2034. NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde have supported the call for a smoke-free Glasgow 2014 games, but smokers’ lobby group Forest have attacked the suggestion as “petty” and suggesting that many visitors to the games would feel “unwelcome and excluded”.

A Glasgow 2014 spokesman said the games would “comply with existing legislation”. London 2012 venues featured outdoor smoking areas.