Mercedes-Benz Stadium is smoke-free, contrary to viral claim | Fact check
The claim: Atlanta Falcons will let fans smoke in the stands next season
A June 5 Facebook post (direct link, archive link) shows the inside of Mercedes-Benz Stadium, home of the Atlanta Falcons.
"The Atlanta Falcons will allow fans to smoke cigarettes, vapes, and Delta-8 pre-rolls in the stands during games for the upcoming NFL season," reads text above the image. "Mercedes Bienz (sic) Will Open The stadium and will now be the ONLY NFL venue to allow smoking within its own stands."
The post was shared more than 1,000 times in five days.
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Our rating: False
Mercedes-Benz Stadium doesn't allow smoking anywhere in the facility, and there is no evidence it announced any change to this policy. An NFL spokesperson previously told USA TODAY that none of the league's stadiums allow smoking in the stands.
Atlanta Falcons stadium prohibits tobacco products
Mercedes-Benz Stadium does not allow fans to use any tobacco-based products, electronic cigarettes or vaporizers inside the stadium, according to its website.
There is no mention of a change to this policy on the websites for the Falcons or Mercedes-Benz Stadium, and there are no credible news reports about the stadium reversing course on its smoking policy.
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NFL spokesperson Tim Schlittner previously told USA TODAY that no stadiums in the league allow smoking in the stands, and there is no evidence of any change since he made that statement in May. A spokesperson for Mercedes-Benz Stadium declined to comment on the record.
The Georgia Smokefree Air Act of 2005 bans smoking in "all enclosed public places" in the state with only a few exceptions. Sports arenas are not included in the list of places exempt from the law.
USA TODAY reached out to the social media user who shared the post for comment but did not immediately receive a response.
Our fact-check sources:
Mercedes-Benz Stadium, accessed June 10, Fan Guidelines
Mercedes-Benz Stadium, accessed June 10, News
Atlanta Falcons, accessed June 10, All News
Rules and Regulations of the State of Georgia, accessed June 10, Georgia Smokefree Air Act of 2005
Justia, accessed June 10, Definitions
USA TODAY, May 16, Green Bay Packers fans can smoke in stands? No, state law prohibits that | Fact check
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Falcons' Mercedes-Benz Stadium doesn't allow smoking | Fact check
