“IT’S AGAINST THE LAW TO SMOKE IN A PUBLIC PLACE – TOBACCO PRODUCT
CONTROL AMENDMENT ACT, 63 OF 2008” – SOUTH AFRICA ACT OF PARLIAMENT
The Barmy Army is a
semi-organised group of English cricket fans which arranges touring parties for some of its
members to follow the English cricket team on overseas tours. The Barmy Army, which is a
limited company, claims it wants to "make watching cricket more fun and
much more popular". The group uses flags, banners, songs and chants to encourage the team and crowd participation in
their activities. In contrast to the reputations of some sports fans for hooliganism, the Barmy Army organisers actively discourage
such behaviour. The group engages in charity work, and has a good reputation among cricket
administrators and among some other fans.
“I loved my visit to S.A. Only one small negative, the amount of
smoking in enclosed places i.e. bars, cricket grounds! Why?
Please stop it!” – Ray Best, British Tourist, Barmy Army Travel Group,
19 January 2016
“I have loved my visit to
S.A. It is such a beautiful place of
wonderful people, but as a tourist, the smoking is the only, but a big
negative! Despite non-smoking signs, we
cannot sit in restaurants or bars with friends or public places due to the
large number of people who still smoke there.
The smoking in public areas has affected my health this cricket test
tour with the Barmy Army. One does not
find this situation anywhere else in the world and I have travelled extensively
and often. Smoking is such a terrible
health hazard and the smell of smoke on my clothes has been very off putting.”
– Ann Rooney, British Tourist, Barmy Army Travel Group, 19 January 2016
“I have considered writing to
the Minister of Health in South Africa to ask if smoking regulations can be
enforced. If one travels abroad to
Australia or if one visits public places in Britain smoking is prohibited in
public places and everyone respects this ruling for the benefit and health of
all its citizens and visitors. We have
become passive smokers at S.A. cricket stadiums, inhaling other people’s smoke!”
– Henry, Barmy Army England Cricket Supporter, Barmy Army Travel Group, 19
January 2016
