Health advocacy groups yesterday urged FIFA to ban smoking at the World Cup in Germany after soccer's governing body dropped a smoke-free rule adopted in 2002.

Instead of barring smoking at stadiums, expected to draw about three million people during the month-long tournament, FIFA said it would ask fans voluntarily to refrain.

"An outright ban will not apply," FIFA said in a statement describing a campaign of posters, audio and video announcements and "and mantra-like repetition of the key phrase 'No Smoking Please'" to discourage spectators from lighting up.

Sinead Jones, director of the International Union Against Cancer's global smoke free partnership, said the voluntary policy meant smoking would be freely permitted in stadiums.

"They are saying to fans 'don't smoke', but on the other hand there will be absolutely no enforcement there," said Jones, whose organisation is appealing for the German tournament to be smoke-free like the last World Cup in Japan and South Korea.

Today's Friendlies

Czech Rep. vs Costa Rica 6 p.m.

Poland vs Colombia 6 p.m.

Germany vs Japan 8.30 p.m.

Tunisia vs Belarus 8.30 p.m.

Chile vs Ivory Coast 8.45 p.m.

Argentina vs Angola 9 p.m.

England vs Hungary 9.05 p.m.

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