Michigan Stadium to go smoke free this fall
Michigan Stadium will be smoke free when the 2010 football season opens this fall, the University of Michigan announced Monday. While smoking was already prohibited in seats, the university had allowed smoking in the concourse area.
Ann Arbor News file photo
The Big House will be a smoke-free house by the time football fans begin taking their seats for the 2010 season opener this fall.
The University of Michigan Athletic Department announced today it's making Michigan Stadium a smoke-free zone when the U-M football team opens against Connecticut Sept. 4.
"We have allowed individuals to smoke on the concourse in the past but with the new renovations and the university's commitment to become a smoke-free campus in 2011, we decided it was in the best interest of everyone to institute the change now," U-M Director of Athletics Dave Brandon, said in a press release "The move will ensure a healthier environment for all fans attending Wolverine football games."
Michigan's Smoke-Free Air Law, which went into effect on May 1, only banned smoking near areas where food is sold or served in the stadium area, said James McCurtis, spokesman for the state health department. But according to state law, smoking would still be allowed in other areas of the stadium including seating areas.
Smoking was already prohibited inside Michigan Stadium's seated-bowl area. Now the smoke-free environment will extend to everything inside the gates of the Big House.
McCurtis praised the message the changed rules will send to fans.
"A lot of fans come out with their children and this is a good way for everyone to enjoy the games there without worrying about the dangers of secondhand smoke," McCurtis said.
In April 2009,U-M announced plans to become smoke-free in July 2011. U-M said the change aligns with its goal to improve the health of the university community.
The idea to have the university go entirely smoke-free began with student complaints, and it is one more step along a path set in the 1980s, Dr. Robert Winfield, the university's chief health officer, said in the press release. Winfield is co-chairman of the Smoke-Free University Initiative committee along with Kenneth Warner, dean of the School of Public Health.
In 1987, the university adopted a ban on smoking in buildings (with exceptions for some residence halls) and in university vehicles. In 1998, the U-M Health System prohibited smoking on its grounds and in public spaces, and in 2003, the student-led Residence Halls Association eliminated smoking from all resident halls.
The U-M will join the University of Iowa and Indiana University, both of which implemented their smoke-free campuses in 2008. In all, more than 260 campuses in the United States and elsewhere have gone smoke-free, the press release said.
For more information on the Smoke-Free University Initiative, go to www.hr.umich.edu/smokefree
Comments
Lokalisierung
Wed, Jun 9, 2010 : 2:29 p.m.
"I dare most of you to spend your life and time with a dying cancer victim the last year of their life." I dare you to show me conclusive evidence of somone dying of second hand smoke they've recieved outside in open air.
PortageLkBlu
Wed, Jun 9, 2010 : 7:09 a.m.
Well, one ban at a time. I lost someone dear to me this last year it is believed due to cig. smoke and she did not smoke however, she did own a cocktail lounge in the 70's and 80's lots of 2nd hand smoke. I dare most of you to spend your life and time with a dying cancer victim the last year of their life.
townie54
Tue, Jun 8, 2010 : 11:37 p.m.
I seem to remember alcohol is banned in stadiums or arenas that are on campus or university property.I remember buying a beer or two at the nebraska omaha hockey arena which wasnt on campus.I wasnt driving either before the PC police say anything
Rasputin
Tue, Jun 8, 2010 : 7:30 a.m.
@ mmb, since when do they allow cars in the stadium?
Blue Marker
Tue, Jun 8, 2010 : 6:33 a.m.
@ SthYpr25...Beer and wine are sold at many college football stadiums in the suites only. You are correct that it's not available in the stands by NCAA rules.
Alfie
Mon, Jun 7, 2010 : 9:25 p.m.
I am not a smoker and was thrilled by the recent ban. However, a designated smoking area seems reasonable. Far away from me of course!
treetowncartel
Mon, Jun 7, 2010 : 8:40 p.m.
I can't wait for the medicinal marijuan clan to challenge this ban, i mean what else was the statue of the eagler put in for but a place to meet your cargegiver buddies?
Terry Star21
Mon, Jun 7, 2010 : 7:43 p.m.
Man Theo... that is a tough one, we'll have to smoke those seven victory cigars back at the tailgate, next to the barbeque... 'Smoking already banned in seating area.... now we will include the concourse' (David Brandon) So the playing field is okay, cause we're sure going to 'Smoke' Uconn, mass.,bg, msu iowa, ill., & whisky on the field with our brilliant offense and defense...
SthYpr25
Mon, Jun 7, 2010 : 6:41 p.m.
"For those who will argue about the continued reduction in rights this is implying, you currently cannot bring in your own alcohol, nor does the University sell any on site, despite its legality." I don't think that this is the University choosing not to sell alcohol on site. They probably would if they could....huge money maker. This is an NCAA rule that alcohol cannot be sold at sporting events held on university grounds.
a2badger
Mon, Jun 7, 2010 : 4:51 p.m.
Ford Field and Comerica Park both have designated smoking areas; an inconvenient walk! Yet providing a separate place where adults who choose to smoke can do so.
Brian
Mon, Jun 7, 2010 : 3:37 p.m.
There's definitely a boundary though that some students cross, but most don't. The vast majority of students drink before the game at parties so they can scream their a**es off during the game. But then there are a select few that decide to get so belligerent that they start fights, so the Stadium doesn't need to ban every college student.
Lokalisierung
Mon, Jun 7, 2010 : 3:26 p.m.
I doubt there's any studies on outdoor secend hand smoke, probably becasue scientists think it's crazy. "The public intoxication at the games is not healthy for families and sends a poor message to kids." Just ban all the college kids from the game then. Because the game is apprently for families and not the people that actually go to the school?
Ignatz
Mon, Jun 7, 2010 : 3:07 p.m.
Some non smokers are getting to be so dogmatic as to approach rabid evangelicals in their beliefs. Are there any valid studies that conclude that smoking out of doors has caused cancer or anything else in passersby?
Lokalisierung
Mon, Jun 7, 2010 : 2:50 p.m.
"go to the Cancer Center at U of M Hospital and look at some of those people who wished they would have quit or didn't inhale the second hand smoke." No offense to anyone suffering in a hostpital, but I don't think there's a "second hand smoke" wing in that hosiptal.
Macabre Sunset
Mon, Jun 7, 2010 : 1:20 p.m.
mmb makes a good point. A cigarette is currently a legal product, even though it is a delivery device for one of the most addictive drugs known to mankind. It's about time the FDA took control of this issue and banned these dangerous drugs entirely. Until then, it seems a no-brainer to keep drug use out of the public view. We don't want our children seeing that type of immoral and reckless behavior.
John Q
Mon, Jun 7, 2010 : 12:11 p.m.
" I hear a big sucking sound and the U is caving in for the big bucks. Absolutely ridiculous!" What big bucks are those?
Blue Marker
Mon, Jun 7, 2010 : 11:09 a.m.
Count me in as a non-smoker who thinks this goes too far. Isn't there a happy-medium? Of course, this is the same institution that decided not to sell beer and wine in their suites. I guess the UM has become the moral guide for us all.
uawisok
Mon, Jun 7, 2010 : 10:59 a.m.
Seeing how U-M athletics is becoming pro active in terms of people in the stands health, why do they stone wall U-M nerologist who wants to study the impact of concusions and micro concuions on the brain and it's affects to it's players??
MRunner
Mon, Jun 7, 2010 : 10:44 a.m.
Congratulations and thanks UM. Looking forward to this as well. Shouldn't be too difficult to enforce given the security everyone needs to go through to get in. Simply make tobacco products, matches, and lighters contraband to bring into the stadium, and that should whittle it down. For those who will argue about the continued reduction in rights this is implying, you currently cannot bring in your own alcohol, nor does the University sell any on site, despite its legality.
a2grateful
Mon, Jun 7, 2010 : 10:42 a.m.
My favorite gore-tex parka has a nice cigarette burn hole in the middle of the right shoulder rear, thanks to a careless cigarette smoker at U of M stadium... it's the type of souvenir that nobody wants... : ( Glad for the ban!
Paula Gardner
Mon, Jun 7, 2010 : 10:21 a.m.
A comment was removed that violated our conversation guidelines.
a2miguy
Mon, Jun 7, 2010 : 10:18 a.m.
@ David Briegel So then, will you be leaving before the game is over? 'Cuz I can assure you that the cloud you refer to will be much worse post-game, when all the smokers at every exit light up as soon as their foot crosses the threshold.
Brad
Mon, Jun 7, 2010 : 10 a.m.
The luxo-boxes too?
PR of AA
Mon, Jun 7, 2010 : 9:41 a.m.
For all of the smokers and non smokers complaining about this new rule, before the game(whatever game you are going to), go to the Cancer Center at U of M Hospital and look at some of those people who wished they would have quit or didn't inhale the second hand smoke. This is a great rule and I hope it is enforced fully. If you get caught smoking anywhere on the stadium property, you should be asked to leave the grounds. Way too many people to give more than one chance to anyone.
mmb
Mon, Jun 7, 2010 : 9:22 a.m.
"Cigarette smoke is a known carcinogen, e.g cancer causing agent. " And so are exhaust fumes. Might as well ban buses too. And while we're at it, best not drive your car so as not to contribute to all that "second hand smoke". Sheesh!!!
friend12
Mon, Jun 7, 2010 : 9:20 a.m.
I like it, but, it will be hard to enforce especially at half time.
Mallory
Mon, Jun 7, 2010 : 9:12 a.m.
As someone who often works in the concession stand right by the grassy hill, I think this is great. I can't wait for the whole university to go smoke free, especially if they can figure out a good way to enforce it.
Rasputin
Mon, Jun 7, 2010 : 9:06 a.m.
Cigarette smoke is a known carcinogen, e.g cancer causing agent. Thank you U of M.
David Briegel
Mon, Jun 7, 2010 : 9 a.m.
What big bucks? They are caving in to sanity! We should not have to walk through clouds of smoke every place we go!
mmb
Mon, Jun 7, 2010 : 8:34 a.m.
I am not a smoker nor do I advocate it but this has gone a bit too far. Last time I checked, cigarette tobacco is not an illegal substance. I hear a big sucking sound and the U is caving in for the big bucks. Absolutely ridiculous!
wj
Mon, Jun 7, 2010 : 8:30 a.m.
Sure, it's a legal product.....it's legal for you to kill yourself with it. But, you do not have a right to infringe upon MY health. I love this ruling. Now, I can relax in the grass outside the stadium during halftime without choking on others' smoke.
Heardoc
Mon, Jun 7, 2010 : 8:15 a.m.
These universities receive fed money and they ban a legal product. I do not smoke but all this big brother stuff is out of hand. If UMofM is so into healthy areas then they should accommodate tyhe smokers with a designated area -- that way those of us who do not smoke will be ok as well as those that do smoke. OOPS! That would be displaying tolerance and that is not something these big brother/big government types do not believe in -- especially if you disagree with them.
David Briegel
Mon, Jun 7, 2010 : 7:52 a.m.
Excellent!
voiceofreason
Mon, Jun 7, 2010 : 7:31 a.m.
This seems a bit unnecessary. I understand not wanting smokers in the concourses, but in the grassy areas? Shouldn't be a very big deal.