Gillette Stadium To Go Completely Smoke-Free

There'll be no more smoking at football games, soccer matches or any other events at Gillette Stadium, starting Saturday.

The Foxborough stadium has permitted smoking in limited open-air areas since it opened 10 years ago.

But Kraft Sports Group Vice President Jennifer Ferron told our Newscast unit that Gillette is joining a growing number of NFL stadiums in banning smoking all together.

"There are a variety of other venues and other sporting events that have been smoke-free, and it's something that we've evaluated on an ongoing basis," Ferron said. "And we decided at this point in our life-cycle that it was the right decision."

She added: "We believe this is something that is in the best interest of all fans for various events and something that we heard through feedback loud and clear that folks wanted us to become a no-smoking facility."

In a release, the New England Patriots added:

In partnership with Tufts Health Plan, new signage will be erected throughout the stadium, smoking cessation literature will be available in the stadium’s Guest Services Booths and public service announcements will be made during events.