One area I chatted to Liam Scully about recently was the smoking areas we’ve found at other grounds. In the years after the smoking ban those who chose to intake nicotine products were demonised, but since we’ve returned to the league it seems the smokers are no longer being ignored.
At Notts County in particular there was a sensible approach to smoking where you could exit the ground into a cordoned off area to have a drag and shorten your life. Well, threat has been observed and acted upon and in the near future you’ll be able to do the same at Sincil Bank.
I’m led to believe that all home sections of the ground will be covered by such a facility, it won’t be ‘Coop only’ or anything like that. Early discussions centred on the corner of the Bridge Mac stand and the Coop stand as one ‘bubble’ with something similar in place around the Selenity Stand. You won’t be able to get your pint and a smoke though, you’ll have to make a choice between cigarettes or alcohol I’m afraid. There are issues with opening the back of the Coop Stand as it opens onto a public pavement and a road. The sides of the ground that are looking to be utilised are our property.
This might spark debate amongst several of you, I know my other half won’t be best pleased to hear I can have a sneaky cigar at half-time if I so desire. However, choice is something that should be offered to fans and those who smoke should, where possible, be allowed to indulge without being made to feel like second-rate citizens.
Smoking is one thing that has been marginalised in our society and whilst I’m not getting into a wider debate about the NHS and extra costs, I will stress that those who wish to smoke should have the choice to do so. As a club that listens to fans desires and acts upon them where possible, news of the smoking bubbles will undoubtedly be welcomed by the minority that don’t fancy living much beyond the age of 70. Remember, that is their choice. Me? I’ll give up any day now, just you wait and see.
Disclaimer: As far as I’m aware, Carlo Ancelotti will not be in attendance when the bubbles do open up.
As you approach seventy, I am confident your desire to live beyond it will increase, not diminish.
Still, it’s your funeral, as it was my brothers, at 62, a lifelong professional smoker, from lung cancer.
Ignore the consequences of your addiction if you must, but don’t come crying to me when you’re dead.
My nan smoked 30 a day from the age of 15 and died at 93. I’ll take my chances and continue to inhale toxic smoke. Great that the club are listening to us on the smallest things like this, it all adds up to cater for everyone.
Spark debate…indeed!