| The Winnipeg Blue Bombers football club has announced it will ban smoking in the stands at Winnipeg Stadium for the upcoming season. The Bombers say they are responding to complaints from fans about smoking during games. |
|
01 March 2001 I can't tell you how painful this is for me. I have been a Bomber fanatic for my entire life. For much of my life I was a season ticket holder although in recent years I have not been able to attend as many games as I'd like. I've supported the Bombers through 'thin and thin' - but this time they have crossed the line. As the President of FORCES Manitoba, and the media spokesman for FORCES Canada (Fight Ordinances Restrictions to Control Eliminate Smoking), I have participated tonight in formulating a plan to ask viewers of our web site, 4.3 million hits in 2000 for FORCES International, to boycott any Bomber game at a CFL stadium, not watch any Bomber game on TV, and not buy any Bomber merchandise until the smoking ban is lifted at Bomber home games in Winnipeg Stadium. I personally have smoked at Bomber games for over 30 years, and attended games 10 years before I started smoking in 1970. In that time there was never any whining, even on the west side upper deck where all the anti-smoking activists are located. Now all of a sudden everyone is bothered by OUTDOOR smoking when its raining, snowing, -30 below, in a blow-out-meaningless game? Personally I would think that instead of worrying about anybody smoking, the Bombers should worry about getting a few wide receivers and defensive backs. The President of Forces Canada, Ms. Pat Hagen, was a long time Hamilton Tiger Cat fan rarely missing a game at Ivor Wynne Stadium. Moving to Vancouver, she became a Lion's season ticket holder - until smoking was banned with the Team's move to B.C. Place Stadium. From what she said she has a lot of company in Vancouver. A lot of former Lion's fans have stopped going to games since the ban was enacted, especially blue collar fans. But at least that's an indoor stadium. Last time I checked Winnipeg Stadium is outdoors. We are going to encourage the millions who read the Forces Canada website to boycott the Bombers, and any outdoor CFL stadium that doesn't allow smoking. I am very sorry it has come down to this. Until this evening I bled Blue and Gold. If and when the ban is lifted I intend to do so again. But until that happens we are urging fans to send the CFL a message. Don't attend games. Don't watch the games on TV, and don't buy merchandise until all outdoor stadium smoking bans are lifted. Warren Klass, President |
|
|