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Forest critical of move to ban smoking on sidelines of children's football matches in Wales
Tue 29th September, 2020
Forest has criticised a move by the Football Association of Wales (FAW) to ban smoking on the sidelines of children's football games in Wales.
Responding to what is described by ASH Wales as an "historic move", Simon Clark, director of Forest, said:
“Banning smoking on the sidelines of children’s football games has nothing to do with health.
“Smoking in the open air does not put anyone else’s health at risk, nor is there evidence that the sight of a non family member smoking encourages children to start.
“The number of adults who smoke on the sidelines is extremely small and most eyes will be on the football.
“This is virtue-signalling by the FAW and further evidence that the war on tobacco is now a moral crusade with unintended consequences for tolerance and moderation.”
He added: “A far more genuine problem at children’s football matches is pushy parents screaming abuse at referees.
“Perhaps the FAW should address that instead of targeting the handful of adults who enjoy a quiet smoke on the sidelines.”
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