SC Freiburg is considered a phenomenon in the Bundesliga. For years, the club has managed to offer its fans successful and respectable football with comparatively limited resources. So that the view of the field is not obscured and fans who are not inclined to tobacco can enjoy an exciting game, Breisgau has one of the strictest non-smoking laws in the league. For those who still can’t or don’t want to keep their hands off the glow stick during the game, things could soon get uncomfortable.
As SC Freiburg announced on Wednesday, starting with the game against VfL Bochum this weekend, a new regulation will be introduced to enforce the non-smoking law: Breisgauer has been in effect at home games since moving to the Europa Park Stadium in October 2021 a ban on smoking in the stands – except in blocks with standing room. Nevertheless, some fans have repeatedly resorted to cigarettes over the past two years – to the displeasure of many fans in the seats around the smoker.
Now smokers who are caught should be warned by club employees with a yellow card. Just like football, it is considered a warning and a reference to the house rules. Anyone who continues to smoke and is caught again must expect a yellow-red card and therefore a ban from the stadium.
In a statement, the club wrote as justification: “Especially in the seating stands, there is hardly any way to escape the smoke from those sitting next to you. Please be considerate of non-smokers and use the areas in the stadium that are approved for smoking, especially in circulation – and don’t trade a card.”
Many German football stadiums are still considered El Dorado for avid smokers and drinkers. Tobacco consumption in the stands is only prohibited at six Bundesliga clubs. Alcohol will be served in each of the arenas.
Things look completely different in England, for example. All stadiums here are smoke-free. Beer was also not allowed to be served between 1985 and 2022. The wet pleasure has now returned to the island.
Sources: Press release SC Freiburg, Pro smoke-free
