And the Lord said, thou shalt not smoke…………………old chap.
MCC is reviewing its smoking policy after complaints from Sky Sports over members smoking cigars close to its cameramen.
Taking a puff: MCC is to look into the placing of smoking areas at the ground Photo: GETTY IMAGES
By Nick Hoult
8:11PM BST 22 May 2012
The broadcaster wrote to complain during the Lord’s Test and the MCC moved one of the cameras away from the smoking area on the final two days of the match.
But the cameraman was moved to an area not usable when the ground is full as it would obstruct the view of paying spectators, leaving the club with a problem before the one-day international against Australia on June 29.
Lord’s is the only Test ground in England which has designated smoking areas in the stands and moves to ban it would be unpopular with some members, who are unlikely to be calmed by the use of health and safety regulations as an explanation.
But a stand-off between the club and English cricket’s host broadcaster, which props up the game to the tune of nearly £100 million per year, could follow if the matter is not resolved.
“Smoking is allowed in 10 percent of seating on the lower concourse of the pavilion and a small area in the upper balcony as well,” said an MCC spokesman.
“We will review the placing of these smoking areas and will do so before the next major match. We are a members club so if a small percentage of members want an area in which to smoke we have to take that into account but we will review our smoking policy as we always do on an annual basis.”