Smoking at a GAA match

Every single time I go to a match, a cloud of grey, carbon monoxide, thousands of chemicals-filled smoke, comes puffing over my head and right down into my lungs. I do not smoke, nor do I want to inhale this horrible, inexcusable, revolting and dangerous smoke. It is illegal to smoke in a GAA ground, yet some people believe they are above the rules and selfishly do it anyway.

I go to alot of GAA matches(and I'm extremely disheartened that I can't make today's match). I love the atmosphere, most of the people and obviously the game itself. However, one thing that always gets to me is a good few people are always smoking. I have never touched a cigarette in my life, because I value my health. Yet these people are selfishly passing on second-hand smoke to other nearby people. Something needs to be done, and the rules and regulations need to be inforced more rigorously.

I was at the Mayo match last week, and this imbecile in front of me was smoking away-in front of his children may I add-and all the smoke was blowing back into my face. This is always the case at nearly every match I go to. Even in Croke Park there was a lad in front of me puffing away. What is it with these people? Regardless of the fact that they're slowly killing themselves, they are breaking the rules and damaging other people's health.

It's scandalous.

As a non smoker i agree wholeheartedly with all that you say and until the GAA start ejecting offenders (like they do in Australia at any sports event there) the problem will continue. We have the problem that Stewards are still volunteers and they are the ones whole will have to enforce the rules fully, are they prepared for the mouthfuls of bile they will get when they eventually do try and eject someone for continued smoking at a GAA ground? I don't think so, and neither would i for something i'm not getting paid for!

The only ones I see smoking at Kerry matches are our players.

is it actually illegal to smoke at at a game - i thought if you were on the terrace you could smoke away

It's illegal to smoke at all GAA venues except in desiganted areas, was brought in a few years ago.

bald eagle wrote:It's illegal to smoke at all GAA venues except in desiganted areas, was brought in a few years ago.

Sorry BE, Boc is correct, smoking is only not allowed in the stands or seated areas, you can smoke to best of my knowledge in the Terrace.

I can just picture a steward on the Hill tapping a bloke on the shoulder and asking him to put his cigarette out ............

Well I smoked on the pitch during the presentation after last year's final. Really enjoyed it.No smoking in the stands I agree with though.

I hate the smell of smoke especially when it is blowing in your face

Hi Orlaith.

Loyal2TheRoyal wrote:Hi Orlaith.

Hello loyal, I dont really see much of you now on HS haha! How did you know it was me?

Smoking at games is really annoying. The ban isn't enforced at all. I've had the wanes at games and had to move cause some fecker was sending a constant stream of smoke in our direction.

Not sure about other the other 3 provences but all Ulster grounds are supposed to be smoke free

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I'd be very aware of my smoke blowing in others faces ....... I hate when you go out the back of the stand in Croker - in full open air - and this 'smoking steward' comes out to remonstrate with you ....... while the young guy is selling the bottles of Bud strapped to his back!!

RKF - surprised at you smoking on the hallowed turf!!! Haven't done that meself...... since 1995 anyway!

There is an easy solution to stop kids having smoke blown in their faces. Leave them at home. Football matches are no places for young children and they just take up space that means other fans can't get tickets. I don't mind them being there for the league and early championship games when the GAA need the numbers but they should not be given tickets for the final when adults want them.