Snooker and Smoking

[SamL]

Having just watched a frame from Stephen Hendry Vs Jimmy White from the 1995 Embassy World Championships, I noticed that Jimmy White was smoking during the frame.

I was surprised that as late as 1995 the players were still smoking during their matches.

In which year was smoking by the players during their matches prohibited?

I am not asking in what year was tobacco sponsorship banned from sporting events.

Thank You

[LondonRoad]

Good question. I do remember that after Embassy was no longer the sponsor, there was an attempt to not show players smoking but on occasion the player would have a puff while the camera was on him. (and it would inevitably be noticed by somebody who knew the "points of view" address)

You say as late as 1995, but it wasn't that much before that some players appeared on camera with decidedly slurred speech and suspicious traces of (ehm) talcum powder on their top lip.

[SamL]

Originally Posted by LondonRoad

Good question. I do remember that after Embassy was no longer the sponsor, there was an attempt to not show players smoking but on occasion the player would have a puff while the camera was on him. (and it would inevitably be noticed by somebody who knew the "points of view" address)

You say as late as 1995, but it wasn't that much before that some players appeared on camera with decidedly slurred speech and suspicious traces of (ehm) talcum powder on their top lip.

When you say there was an attempt to not show them smoking after Embassy was no longer the sponsor, what do you mean? The final Embassy World Snooker Championship was 2005.

Smoking by the players during their matches was banned way before 2005. You mean when they were in another room of the building or outside?

[punky]

Didn't Bill Werbeniuk used to drink alcohol during the frame as well?

Trying to find some evidence of it I think Kirk Stevens is here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_fE-pvT084

[SamL]

Originally Posted by punky

Didn't Bill Werbeniuk used to drink alcohol during the frame as well?

Trying to find some evidence of it I think Kirk Stevens is here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_fE-pvT084

Yes, allegedly six pints of lager before a match and one pint for every frame.

P.S - Also in addition to the original question. Does anyone know when snooker players were banned from drinking alcohol during their matches? Cheers

[LondonRoad]

Originally Posted by punky

Didn't Bill Werbeniuk used to drink alcohol during the frame as well?

Trying to find some evidence of it I think Kirk Stevens is here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_fE-pvT084

Didn't he try to claim tax relief on his lager consumption on the grounds that it was essential for him to be able to ply his trade?

---------- Post added 10-10-2009 at 00:03 ---------- Previous post was 09-10-2009 at 23:55 ----------

Originally Posted by SamL

When you say there was an attempt to not show them smoking after Embassy was no longer the sponsor, what do you mean? The final Embassy World Snooker Championship was 2005.

Smoking by the players during their matches was banned way before 2005. You mean when they were in another room of the building or outside?

You're right, I'm thinking of a TV directive to try to stop showing smoking on TV. The camera shot would suddenly disappear to show the referee cleaning the white ball, (or something), because the player had reached for the ashtray.... a long time before Embassy stopped sponsoring the championship, although I'm surprised it was as recently as 2005.

I'm right about Bill's tax claim though but sadly a quick google reveals to me that he has now passed away :-(

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/ob...uk-729978.html