2/17/2006
AFP

The German government said on Thursday it was joining forces with football's world governing body FIFA to launch a campaign to encourage spectators not to smoke at this year's FIFA World Cupâ„¢ finals.

"We have agreed on a clear call: 'No smoking, please'. To back it up, a TV advert will be shown in every stadium," the German government's specialist on drug issues, Sabine Baetzing, said in an interview with Sueddeutsche Zeitung.

"Other messages will be given over the sound system, on posters and whole-page adverts will be included in the match programmes." FIFA will contribute to the cost of the operation.

The no smoking plan depends on the participation of spectators and will not be enforced by the police. Baetzing said she found the new legislation in Britain banning smoking in pubs, clubs, restaurants and private clubs to be "really quite strict".

The FIFA World Cup finals take place in 12 German cities from 9 June to 9 July.