Eden Park SmokeFree In 2008
Eden Park Trust Board
20 December 2007
For immediate release
In the new year, Auckland's Eden Park will join the growing number of Australasian stadia going smokefree. From 1
January patrons attending all games will be asked not to smoke in any part of the stadium, including outdoors, other
than designated smoking areas.
Eden Park Operations Manager John Strawbridge says going smokefree is mainly about providing patrons with a smokefree
environment in which to enjoy sport at Eden Park and to send out a good message to the young sports fans attending games
at the stadium.
"Most people prefer to watch sporting events away from others' tobacco smoke, and smokers generally don't want to cause
offence. So we're confident this smokefree initiative, with designated smoking areas, provides a more considerate
environment for our patrons."
Smokefree environments are becoming the norm in New Zealand and internationally. Westpac Stadium in Wellington is
smokefree, and Mt Smart Stadium went smokefree this year in all seating areas for Warriors games and events.
An August survey found 80 per cent of respondents supported smokefree seating at Mt Smart. Fifteen per cent said the
move was 'very good' and 65 per cent rated it as 'excellent'.
The Eden Park smokefree initiative is being driven by the Eden Park Trust Board and has support from Auckland Rugby and
Auckland Cricket. It also has the backing of the Auckland Regional Council, Auckland Regional Public Health, the Cancer
Society, Heart Foundation, Health Sponsorship Council, Action on Smoking and Health, Te Hotu Manawa Maori, Te Reo
Marama, Smokefree Coalition, the Public Health Association and the Stroke Foundation.
ENDS