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Fans fined for smoking at Preston match



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Published Date:
01 December 2008
Football fans who smoke inside Preston North End's ground have been warned to expect a fine.
Two men were each slapped with a £50 penalty after being caught puffing in the toilets during Saturday evening's televised win over Bristol City.

Health and safety bosses launched a clampdown following a string of complaints from fans about supporters smoking in the Alan Kelly stand, particularly during half-time.

Today, fans were warned to expect further patrols at future fixtures at Deepdale.

Andy Howard, environmental health manager at Preston Council, said he and a colleague caught two men smoking in the toilets at half-time.

He said: "I think they just think it's a right. We do appreciate there will be some people who do struggle, particularly if it's a tense game.

"They should really get some of the nicotine replacement gum just to tide them over until the end of the match."

The fines will be reduced to £30 if paid within 15 days, but will result in court action if not paid at all.

Richard Shelliker, chairman of the PNE Official Supporters' Club and a non-smoker, said: "I'm all for the ban.

"I think it should be enforced if possible but not too severely to upset people or put them off.

"But it's the law now and it's got to be abided by."

David Shepherd, ground safety officer at Preston North End, said: "Unfortunately, there are a small number of fans who continue to smoke in some of the toilet areas, to the annoyance of other spectators."

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The Gentry

The full article contains 270 words and appears in n/a newspaper.
Page 1 of 1

  • Last Updated: 01 December 2008 4:35 PM
  • Source: n/a
  • Location: Preston
 
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Tom Harrison,

Deepdale 01/12/2008 11:56:42
That's right find even more ways of alienating PNE fans. We only get 10,000 on as it is. Let's try and reduce that as much as possible.

I am not a smoker but something needs to be done about this.

At a number of away games i have noticed thatthere is a designated smoking area where people congregate at half time. It is usually through one of the exit gates and is fenced off to allow people to go outside of the ground but also come back in when they have had a smoke without people needing to check tickets etc or people sneaking in who haven't paid to get on the game.
2

Collydog,

01/12/2008 12:26:13
well done north end. I have made a point if complaining to David Shepherd(h&s officer) about this problem several times. Great to see action at last
3

Alansh66,

01/12/2008 12:43:18
Tom Harrison - It is the law not about alienating fans, try standing outside a cubicle at half time with a 3 year old who is too small to reach the urinals who is bursting for the loo and having to wait for an ignorant smoker to have a fag, then having to put up with the smell afterwards, it's not funny and we shouldn't have to put up with it, I applaud the actions of Preston council however the club should investigate the viability of allowing an outside smoking area for fans
4

finneyfan,

01/12/2008 12:53:45
Good about time too.
I was on the Invincibles on Tuesday with my young son and there where two blokes puffing away all through the first half, smoke drifting along to me and my son, we moved away at half time. No consideration for anyone, especially kids.
No excuse either.
5

Ribbleton,

Preston 01/12/2008 13:35:40
Comment 4 by Finneyfan. If a steward spots smoking they should ask them to put it out. If environmental health think the club arent doing enough to curb smoking then the club can be fined. A smokers section with an outdoor pen would have to be season ticket only otherwise away support would have an incentive to go in that section.
6

andy-p,

01/12/2008 13:46:04
I thought the disgraceful smoking ban was for enclosed public places ie inside a building, watching football is a outside pursuit no enclosed spaces open to the elements we pay money to freeze get wet all things associated with outside sport yet now the little comforts are taken away from the loyal fans, i call for every smoker to stay away let the clubs know we have had enough overpriced tickets c**p food at the top prices just like the empty pubs football will follow,what is more annoying it is the club itself who implements the rules shame on pne and any club who practice this illegal rule
7

PNE Pepe,

01/12/2008 13:48:39
Andy P - I thought that if an area was enclosed by 2 or more walls it was classed as eligible for the smoking ban? I don't think this rule is illegal.
8

revkeith,

hull 01/12/2008 13:53:09
Andy p The law also applies to bus stops with sides and a roof even though the front is open..

Quite right too
9

PNE Chris,

Lancaster 01/12/2008 14:07:24
andy-p I really hope that you do stay away from deepdale as 2 me it sounds like you are no true fan of preston north end. To critise the club for avoiding a hefty fine and enforcing the law is pathetic, and really really sad that people cannot go an hour & a half without having a smoke. What a selfish individual. Smoking is a choice, allbeit a form of suicide. No 1 stops you from smoking in your own home so fair enuf, kill yourself but for the majority who dont want to die young & painfully then i'm all for no smoking at football. I have nothing against smokers but smokers who complain are selfish & think only of themselves.
Well done PNE, lets hope this smoking problem was the reason some fans were staying away & that we'll see them all come flooding back!!
up the whites!!
10

brigpnefan,

preston 01/12/2008 14:53:03
Well the rights of the majority who go to the games and either don,t smoke or smoke but have the will power and good manners to wait until they leave the ground then light up. I do have this habit that one day will pop my clogs and is trying to pack up at the moment.What i am trying to say is that, i have learned to respect none smokers and pick my moments away from anyone who is in danger of breathing in the filth,cos that is what it is,and i am honest enough to admit so.I will say that smoking areas may be an option,but the cost to the club may put that idea to bed,also we are not on the ground long enough are we?
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