Ntuthuko Maphumulo
The smoking of cigarettes in stadiums at South African soccer matches is not the only problem for organisers, says Premier Soccer League CEO Robin Petersen clouds of dagga smoke also usually hang in the air.
Soccer’s smoke-free initiative a first for South Africa and the continent was launched this week as a joint venture between the South African Football Association (Safa) and the World health Organisation (WHO).
It was welcomed by Minister of Health Manto Tshabalala-Msimang, who said it added impetus to her ban on smoking in public areas.
The smoke-free initiative launch corresponded with the first all-Africa meeting of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.
The first soccer smoke-free initiative was during the women’s World Cup in America in 1999 where some areas in the stadiums were declared no smoking zones.
Tshabalala-Msimang says: “I am not surprised that women took the lead in the smoke-free soccer initiative and hope Banyana Banyana will also come on board.”
The minister is a soccer supporter but only watches games on television. “The reason why I did not go to stadiums is because it was not a smoke-free game.”
Dr Derek Yach, WHO representative on the initiative, says: “In South Africa 25?000 people die each year from tobacco-related diseases. Four million die around the world. “We salute the South African government for drafting bold legislation and Safa for putting tremendous support behind the initiative. We hope to see many more followers in the months to come,” Yach said. Safa will appeal to supporters, players, coaches and referees not to smoke during soccer matches.
There will be awareness programmes on the smoke-free campaign during games and it will be up to supporters to tell each other not to smoke, as Safa will be unable to police its ban. In South Africa, however, people usually also smoke dagga at soccer matches, but there is no way of policing this either. Safa’s CEO Danny Jordaan says: “Smoking in packed stadiums is little more than an irritation, it is a health risk.”
In the not too distant future, tickets will be issued for smoking section and non-smoking sections in South African stadiums. Jordaan says many soccer lovers want to sit with family in areas that are non-smoking zones.
The Federation of International Football Associations (Fifa) decided in 1996 not to ban tobacco smoking at all their tournaments.
Jordaan says: “The 2002 World Cup will be a smoke-free tournament for supporters, coaches and referees, who will not be allowed to smoke during matches.”
Safa will not ban alcohol in stadiums because alcohol companies sponsor some soccer tournaments within Fifa and other soccer organisations, said Jordaan.
Fifa has categorised alcohol into two groups hard and soft alcohol. Beer and soccer generally go together and Fifa has categorised beer as soft alcohol.
Some South African soccer players have been roped into ensuring that the smoke-free campaign is on everyone’s mind. Lucas Radebe, Phil Masinga, Shaun Bartlett and Brian Baloyi will be promoting the slogan “they smoke opponents not cigarettes”.
Other sporting codes will be encouraged to also join in the smoke free initiative.