Sunday, June 4 2006

BERLIN: The World Cup organisers have admitted that they were powerless to enforce a no-smoking campaign in the stadiums at the tournament which kicks off in Germany on June 9.

An advertising campaign fronted by German captain Michael Ballack will urge those watching the matches in the 12 stadiums not to light up, but German law allows smoking in public places.

“The law does not forbid smoking in Germany, so we can only appeal to the good sense of spectators,” Franz Beckenbauer, the head of the organising committee, said.

The coaches of the 32 participating countries are however banned from smoking on the touchlines of the pitch under rules set by world football’s governing body FIFA.

A total smoking ban in stadiums was enforced at the last World Cup, in 2002 in Japan and South Korea.

Sabine Baetzing, the German government’s drug tsar, said that she hoped fans would heed the “No Smoking, please” message which will feature on posters and TV adverts shown on giant screens.

“Safeguarding the health of spectators in the stadiums means we are committed to sending out a clear no-smoking message during matches.

“I am sure that visitors from Germany and abroad will expect to see the ‘No Smoking, please’ motto at the World Cup and will take notice of it.” (AFP)