Jump to full article: Reuters, 2010-02-08
Author: Mary Milliken
Intro: Vancouver's plan to host smoke-free Winter Games were stubbed out after Olympic officials told the city to make room for people who love to puff, particularly Europeans and the media.
In a city that prides itself on healthy living, bike-riding Mayor Gregor Robertson recognized that Vancouver could not impose its strict anti-smoking culture on legions of visitors to the Games that open on Friday (Feb 12-28).
"We need to be welcoming the world with open arms and not being too prescriptive with regulations and practices that we live by day to day," said Robertson.
The Vancouver Organizing Committee (VANOC) wanted to ban smoking to reflect "our very strong commitment to a healthy environment for spectators, athletes, officials, everyone," said Renee Smith-Valade, vice president of communications.
While there will be no smoking inside indoor sports venues, VANOC was told by the International Olympic Committee that it must designate smoking areas outside the arenas.
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