The Maryland Stadium Authority yesterday announced a "complete ban on smoking" at Oriole Park at Camden Yards and M&T Bank Stadium, according to a front-page piece by Chris Korman of the Baltimore SUN. MSA Exec Dir Michael Frenz said that the new policy brings the stadiums "more in line with other stadiums across the country." Camden Yards was one of 10 MLB venues that "designated smoking areas within the ballpark last season." M&T Bank Stadium was one of 11 NFL venues to "reserve space within the stadium gates for smokers." It allowed smoking "in designated areas of the concourse and near gates." Many stadiums have "created a process to allow fans to leave the stadium and return after smoking." Both the Orioles and the Ravens have said that they will "implement plans to allot space for smokers outside of the stadiums." The ban covers "all areas within the stadium gates, and extends to within 25 feet of any entry, outdoor air intake or operable window of the stadium structures." Smoking will "be allowed in the parking lots." The ban takes effect March 4 and "covers only lit tobacco." Chewing tobacco and "increasingly popular electronic cigarettes will be allowed" (Baltimore SUN, 2/26). Frenz said that the non-smoking policy will also "apply to non-sports events, such as concerts." In Baltimore, Jack Lambert noted 20 MLB stadiums and 25 NFL stadiums are "either smoke-free or have designated smoking areas outside of the stadium" (BIZJOURALS.com, 2/25).
