BOLTON Wanderers are aiming to stub out smoking in the seats at the new Reebok Stadium.

But officials have stopped short of imposing a total smokes ban when the £30 million ground opens in August.

Smoking will be allowed, although discouraged, in the lower tier of the North Stand and in the South Stand but it's strictly 'no smoking' in the East and West Stands and in the upper tier of the North Stand, which has been designated a family enclosure.

Wanderers chairman Gordon Hargreaves says the intention is to cut out smoking in all seats over the next two years.

But he insisted today: "It's not an anti-smoking campaign. We are aiming for a no-smoking policy within two seasons but there will still be areas on the concourses where people will be able to smoke.

"In fact, there will be more smoking areas at the new ground than there were at Burnden. There will be designated smoking areas in all the stands and in the hospitality suites but we are working towards a situation where there will be no smoking in any of the seats."

Club officials checked out the legal implications and considered all aspects of the smoking debate before announcing their policy before season ticket sales start tomorrow.

But there is a clear message from the seven-man Wanderers board, six of whom are non-smokers. Even in the seats where smoking is allowed, they are hoping to discourage fans from lighting up while they watch the game. Signs will urge spectators to be considerate of other people's wishes.

Mr Hargreaves added: "We would prefer them not to smoke. We are looking for supporters to co-operate with us, as they did at Burnden where smoking was not allowed in the two main stands because of the fire risk.

"We want supporters to be courteous and considerate. I'm sure smokers will appreciate that it will be far better to watch football in a no-smoking environment."

The first season tickets for the 25,000 all-seater Reebok Stadium will go on sale tomorrow with a phased programme starting with the upper tier of the East Stand.

Existing season ticket holders will have first choice of seats. Application forms for new season tickets are available from today and new sales will start on Thursday, July 3.

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