Africa's struggle to be smoke free.

www.thelancet.com Vol 375 January 9, 2010 107 Smokers watching teams slug it out on the fi eld in pursuit of 2010 FIFA World Cup glory will have to think twice before lighting up. The South African Government has slapped an outright ban on smoking in all the stadiums where games are to be played. South African director of Health Promotion Vimla Moodley says that stadiums will be 100% smoke free and that means there will be no designated areas for smokers. Regulations that will restrict smoking in outdoor areas are being fi nalised. Earlier, Jirí Dvorák, the chief medical offi cer of FIFA, told The Lancet that smoking will not be allowed in the technical areas or in spectator stands, but suggested there would be places set aside for smoking. In 2002, an agreement between the world soccer governing body and WHO was supposed to have blown the fi nal whistle on smoking during World Cup matches, but in 2006—much to the chagrin of antitobacco lobbyists—FIFA lifted the ban after consultations with the German Government. But, with assurances from FIFA and the health ministry and the fact that South Africa has strong anti-smoking laws in place, this is unlikely to happen in this year’s World Cup tournament. Moodley says the department will run a campaign to educate the public and help enforce the law. At present the country does allow smoking in designated areas (limited in size) in workplaces and the hospitality sector. South African anti-tobacco lobbyists support moves to prevent second-hand smoke from drifting onto the pitch during the 2010 FIFA World Cup, saying that it sends out the right message particularly for the continent where 90% of Africans are unprotected by smoke-free laws. Yussuf Saloojee, executive director of the National Council Against Smoking of South Africa says antitobacco legislation allows for the regulation of smoking in any area where people gather. “We are pushing for smoke-free fan parks where games will be televised and for adequate anti-smoking signs, so people get the message loud and clear”.