Windsor Spitfire fans blast new smoking rules

By Yasmina Elasfar

Windsor Spitfire fans aren’t happy with new provincial rules preventing them from smoking near the WFCU Centre.

“I find it a little bit absurd because you’re taking away somebody’s free will to do something that is legal,” said Nick Upham. “I understand if they don’t it want between the doors or in front of people or around kids.”

The Ontario government imposed new regulations last week coinciding with the federal government’s legalization of marijuana.

Smoking tobacco or marijuana is now banned within 20 metres of publicly-owned arenas or other recreational facilities.

Upham said there should be a designated smoking area.

“It’s the most logical thing you could do. You can’t just say ‘oh, you can’t do this here,'” he said.  “That’s just the government holding you down, in my opinion.”