Pittsburgh Pirates ban smoking at stadium

PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Pittsburgh Pirates are banning all smoking at PNC Park this season because of a countywide ban on public smoking.

In the past, smoking was prohibited in grandstand seating areas, but there were several smoking sections and even a cigar bar.

The Pirates announced the stadiumwide ban Monday in accordance with a recent Allegheny County ordinance that bans smoking in work and public places.

A judge has stopped the ordinance from being enforced in bars and restaurants until he can rule on its legality, but the Pirates decided to extend the ban to all parts of the ballpark, including the Montecristo Club, a cigar and martini bar.

The cigar bar will be converted into Club 21, a smoke-free sports bar with arcade games and big-screen televisions. It will feature memorabilia associated with Roberto Clemente, the Hall of Fame outfielder whose number, 21, was retired by the team.