Vancouver's GM Place - Britney Spears walks off stage blames cigarette smoke..

April 10, 2009 - Tobacco smoking in the presence of others is no longer "cool."

Britney Spears walked off stage shortly after the start of a concert last night at Vancouver's GM Place, leaving the crowd to sit in the dark for 30 minutes. The Vancouver Sun reports that a voice came on the venue's loudspeaker during the dark period informing the audience that cigarette smoke was to blame. "It's become uncomfortable and unsafe for the performers, including Ms. Spears," the voice said. "The show will resume as soon as the air around the stage is clear." Chanting and booing ensued until Spears finally came back to finish the show. The Associated Press reports that after the concert, Spears's publicist issued a statement saying "crew members above the stage became ill due to a ventilation issue."

In British Columbia, the province that Vancouver is located, as of March 31, 2008 smokers were not be allowed to light up in public places and workspaces, or within three meters (9-feet 10-inches) of public doorways. The problem is that ENFORCEMENT is limited.

Reference: Britney Spears walks off stage during concert, blames cigarette smoke by Mike Bruno, News Briefs - the latest in entertainment news, 4/9/2009.