NO SMOKE – JUST ATMOSPHERE

The Stadium implemented a no-smoking policy on 1st January, 2006. Since then thousands of fans have enjoyed a variety of the Stadium’s events in a smoke free environment and rugby fans heading for Cardiff this weekend for the RBS 6 Nations clash between Wales and Italy will be the latest to benefit from the Stadium’s great ‘atmosphere’. 

Gerry Toms, Operations and Safety Manager at the stadium, said: “Since the introduction of the policy, there has been no problem with fans attending events. Most members of the public understand that it is intended to enhance their enjoyment of events and the Stadium as a whole.

“I would like to thank all those visitors to the Stadium who have been so co-operative during the introduction of the policy,” he added.

The Stadium is one of the few stadia in Britain that operates a total smoking ban. The decision was taken after a trip to Ireland, where smoking is prohibited in all public places, and more recently the Department of Health’s smoking ban in public places – that is to be enforced in 2007 – sees the potential for many stadia following suit.

Paul Sergeant, Chief Executive of the Millennium Stadium, is pleased with the success of the smoking ban. “Non-smoking in public areas is widely accepted nowadays, especially in public buildings, shopping arcades etc. It is becoming a public expectation and we are all about making the Millennium Stadium experience as pleasant as possible for everyone and that means creating the right kind of atmosphere – a smoke free atmosphere.”