Eagles meet with health officials over smoking at the Linc

PHILADELPHIA - The Philadelphia Eagles has met with city health officials following a FOX 29 investigation that showed widespread tolerance of smoking in the 200 level of Lincoln Financial Field.

The investigation may lead to changes in smoking policy at the home of the Eagles.

Investigative Reporter Jeff Cole has learned the team met with the city health department Monday morning on the issue.

FOX 29 cameras were at the Linc at about 11 a.m. when a group of city health officials, led by Dr. Palak Raval Nelson, came out of the meeting.

Nelson, the Director of Environmental Health Services, declined comment.

A spokesperson for the department confirmed the meeting was focused on smoking at the Linc.

Last month, FOX 29 Investigates showed fans lighting and blowing smoke nearly everywhere we looked on the 200 level of the stadium. Signs there read "no smoking."

FOX 29 Investigates attended the late December Eagles-Cardinals game at the urging of a vendor who complained about repeated exposure to second-hand smoke.

We showed our video to the regional president of the American Lung Association.

"It certainly seems there needs to be some additional education of employees - in particular security employees - that they know that there is a law, they know what the law is, and that they are comfortable going up to individuals, telling them they cannot smoke in the stadium," the lung association's Deborah Brown said.

In a late-afternoon statement, the Eagles wrote: "As we have said before, the health and safety of our fans is of utmost importance to us.

"We had a productive meeting with the health department today and we are looking forward to continuing our dialog with them and hearing their recommendations."

Once we will learn what recommendations will be, we will bring them to you.

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