Hong Kong Stadium Smoking Policy and South Stand Seating Issues Addressed for Hong Kong Rugby Sevens

The Hong Kong Rugby Football Union is to implement some new stadium improvement policies for the upcoming Cathay Pacific/Credit Suisse Hong Kong Sevens 2007. The policies are designed to further enhance the enjoyment of the event and to comply with recent government public health ordinances.

Among the new policies are the new guidelines for smoking inside the Hong Kong Stadium, home of the world renowned Hong Kong Sevens. In 2007, more areas of the Hong Kong Stadium will be off-limits to smoking. Two areas have been reserved for smoking within the stadium grounds, these areas are the causeways on both the Northeast and Northwest ends of the stadium. These are the only two areas where smoking will be permitted inside the stadium grounds. 

The guidelines released by the Hong Kong Stadium management advise that under the Smoking (Public Health) Ordinance, the spectator stands (including all Patron boxes) are designated as "No Smoking Areas". No person shall smoke or carry lighted tobacco product in these areas. Any person who contravenes the regulation is liable to a HK$5000 fine.

After receiving significant feedback over the past few years on seating issues in the South Stand and analyzing seating policies at other sevens events and sporting events worldwide, the HKRFU is also enacting new admission guidelines for the South Stand in 2007 that will limit seating in this area to spectators aged 18 and over.

As the majority of South Stand patrons are already over 18, restricting admission to the South Stand was felt to be the best way to ensure adequate seating for fans of a more mature age to enjoy the unique atmosphere of the event. The policy is in-line with in-stadium seating policies at other rugby and sporting events around the world.

HKRFU Executive Director Allan Payne commented on the new South Stand admission policy saying, “Over the years the South Stand has grown into one of the world’s most famous rugby environments and has become the main area for spectators from 18 to 30 years old. As the South Stand is the preferred seating area for these spectators, it was felt that measures should be put in place to ensure sufficient room to accommodate them.”

Those under 18 will be accommodated elsewhere in the stadium with a new mix of entertainment activities in 2007, including roving handheld camera crews delivering live feeds links to the Diamond Vision screen. This year’s Hong Kong Sevens will also see the return of a second temporary giant TV screen behind the North Stand. The HKRFU has also established dedicated entertainment areas both inside the Stadium and outside of it at the Sevens Village in So Kon Po to cater for the needs and entertainment of all spectators and visitors to the stadium over the event.

To minimize confusion regarding the new admission policy, security teams will staff the South Stand Admission Areas. In cases where patrons who appear to be minors try to enter the South Stand, photo identification will be requested and those under 18 will be asked to sit elsewhere inside the stadium. 

The Cathay Pacific/Credit Suisse Hong Kong Sevens 2007 will be played from March 30 to April 1, 2007 at the 40,000-seat Hong Kong Stadium.

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