Is Daytona setting a new tread to save lives?

[Bobby Diehl]

Daytona Grandstands Now Smoke-free

Officials from Daytona International Speedway and members of Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT) – a Florida based youth organization that educates the state’s youth to stray away Big Tobacco in an effort to promote a tobacco free future– came together in Daytona to celebrate the move towards a smoke-free environment at the historic track.

The SWAT members, driver Jeffrey Earnhardt, the Volusia County Health Department, and representatives from Daytona International Speedway held a press conference outside the track to help commemorate the event on Tuesday.

“I’m proud that leading race organizations like Daytona are protecting our fans from tobacco smoke and are showing young fans that smoking is no longer acceptable,” said NASCAR driver and Tobacco Free Florida spokesperson Jeffrey Earnhardt. “Families see drivers and venues like Daytona as legendary and this sends a healthy message to race fans.”

The speedway’s grandstands will be smoke-free for the first time during the running of the Subway Jalapeño 250 Powered By Coca-Cola on July 6.

“We’re honoring Daytona International Speedway for taking this important step to protect race fans from secondhand smoke, said Kahreem Golden, SWAT Youth Advocacy Board Chair. “We also want to encourage other outdoor venues in Florida to protect their patrons by adopting tobacco-free and smoke-free policies.”

[Boneman]

I don't like it. Although I've never smoked, I do support freedom. If I wanted to be protected from smoke I wouldn't go to an auto race in the first place.

They better pass out gas masks before the winner does the burn-out.

[Edm]

Kind of ironic, a few years ago they were handing out cartons of cigs.

I like it, make a smoke break area...

[Frasson118]

From what I gather, there is no smoking anywhere on the property (good luck enforcing the infield). I do smoke, and without any provisions to have one, I won't be going there. In a time they need all the fans they can get, they are telling a pretty fair percentage of people that their habits aren't welcome there. This will surely decrease their fan base, not increase it.

Another of the hundred reasons for me not to support NASCAR and the Frances.

[UREZ2PASS]

I like it. It sucks when somebody is smoking a cigarette or worse a cigar and their smoke is choking your child in a grandstand. I'm all for freedom except someone else's freedom should not screw with mine. Do they allow us to go to our cars and burn one and eat a sandwich ?

[Frasson118]

I understand your point EZ. I'm not one of those people that thinks I should be allowed to smoke anywhere I please, but even bars and restaurants set aside an area for their customers that do smoke. Daytona isn't trying to work with their customers at all. Sorry, but if I have to leave the track to have a smoke, I'm not gonna bother being there in the first place.

[carolwicks]

I agree EZ

i think times have changed. there are more people NOT smoking and why should we subject children and other non smokers to the dangers of cancer or other lung problems. Non smokers do not cause you the health problems smokers do. I am a bit sympathetic to smokers because until 1986 i smoked about 3 pks. a day of Mores. i now have chronic lung disease...there is nothing worse (or better) than a reformed smoker but if we can save one life it is worth everything.
i dont think the new rule will hurt NASCAR one bit. i think it will help...WTG NASCAR...
carolwicks

[dave41]

smoking

the fumes from the cars are worse on lungs than a cig . smoke. if you can smell it ,you are breathing it.

[carolwicks]

Freedom...

i support freedom too Rex... i want to be free of smoke... its killing me. ;-(

does that mean i should stay away from any gatherings? no... smokers can still smoke but not around people who dont.

i have seen restaurants who have non smoking sections... about 4 feet away from smoking section... kinda silly...lol
Dave...youre right. the fumes are toxic too...especially the burn outs...... maybe they should hand out gas masks for us non smokers... hahaha... so we have a choice... dont enjoy the sport we love or ruin our lungs... hmmmmmmmmmm

[ocalasp76]

They already have alcohol free family sections... how about just smoke free sections too?? JMO
-JIM-

[tccaz]

They didn't seem to mind all that smoke when it was WINSTON CUP.

[UREZ2PASS]

I only read that the grandstands were smoke free. They will probably allow smoking in other areas.

[Pun33]

sure don't smoke
the people that grow it out of work
the people that manufacture it out of work
the marketing companies out of work
the distributions companies out of work
THE TAX MONEY GONE

where do you think all this will be made up???


MORE TAXES

[Ocala Camper]

Smoke Free

I gave up smoking almost 4 years ago and cannot stand the smell of it but as many have stated already, NASCAR was supported for many years by Winston. We can see how times have changed. From what I have read though, on the Tobacco Free Florida site and Daytona Speedway site, there are going to be areas that will still allow smoking, just not in the grandstands.

[egspeedway]

Yes I smoke. That being said I still agree with Daytona's decision as the seats are quite proximal to each other. My concern is the corporate mind set that would turn against an industry that poured millions into the NASCAR coffers over the years. You can say NASCAR and DIS are separate entities but are they really? It is clear to me that there is a generation X set of values at work here and I fear the future decisions they may make and its effect on motor sports.