SUPPORTERS are advised that Vicarage Road will be a no smoking arena from Sunday 1 July 2007.

Watford, along with all Football League grounds, will comply with the new policy.

The views of supporters nationwide were a key element in The Football League's decision to introduce a 'Smoke Free' policy, which is set to take effect all League grounds from July 1.

The new policy also takes into account views expressed by more than 43,000 fans in The Football League Supporters' Survey 2006.

Almost 80 per cent of the fans who participated in Survey advocated the introduction of some form of smoke free policy at matches, with half of all fans wanting an outright ban.

The League's decision has delighted Caroline Flint, the Minister of State for Public Health.

In endorsing the policy the minister said: "It's great to see The Football League taking such a forward looking approach, which goes above and beyond the requirements of the smoke free legislation that is being introduced.

"Second hand smoke kills, so I applaud this move which can only have a positive affect on the health both of staff working at Football League stadiums and of football supporters watching the matches."

The League's Chairman, Lord Mawhinney, adds: "In re-branding The Football League we made a serious, long-term commitment to encouraging a new generation of supporters to our matches. This is the latest stage in that process. 

"We aim to get more families and more young fans going along to watch their local Football League club, and this new policy will ensure that doing so does not have a negative affect on their health."

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