What are fights without a cigar?
AC Convention Center won't enforce smoking ban
Posted: Tuesday December 01, 1998 05:01 PM
ATLANTIC CITY, New Jersey (AP) -- The operators of the Atlantic City Convention Center, a no-smoking building, say they won't enforce the ban when the building hosts its first boxing match this weekend.
After all, what's Saturday night at the fights without a cigar?
The exemption will apply only to athletic events held at the $268 million center, which opened in mid-1997. Conventioneers and others who rent the building or attend events there won't be allowed to light up, according to Gregg Caren, assistant general manager.
"When it comes to sporting events, smoking is permitted. If it was a meeting or a conference, we'd operate it as [a no-smoking building]. But at a boxing match, anyone knows going in that they're expecting smoke," Caren said.
The center is operated by the Atlantic City Convention and Visitors Authority, just as Convention Hall is. Convention Hall, the site of most major fights in Atlantic City, is a no-smoking building as well, but the ban is not enforced at athletic events, Caren said.
"We run both buildings the same way, regardless of their age. From a policy standpoint, we're operating from the same MO. The other building has a 137-foot roof. This one has a phenomenal air-handling system. I can't imagine anyone having an issue with it, even if they were sensitive to smoke," Caren said.
Boxing promoter Don King, who is promoting the WBA world bantamweight championship fight between Nana Konadu and Johnny Tapia, said the issue never came up during negotiations for the fight, which is expected to attract up to 6,000 people.
It's healthier to skip the cigars, anyway, King said Tuesday.
"Do like I do," he said. "Use 'em for a prop. Put 'em in your mouth and don't light 'em, like I do."
Copyright 2003 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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