NO-SMOKING POLICY HARD TO ENFORCE AT SOME CONCERTS

Q I am dismayed at the recent Tha Bomb concert at Compaq Center in San
Jose. My daughters, 12 and 13, and three of their friends and I
attended the June 5 concert. It was hosted by radio station KYLD 94.9,
their favorite station. As soon as the concert started, several
patrons seated next to us lit up large marijuana cigarettes.

The second time this happened, I spoke to arena security to try to
have it resolved. The smoking continued and staff didn't do anything.
I decided to talk to one of the many San Jose police officers there.
They refused to do anything and told me, "Maybe your daughters are
too young for the show." The officers said they were there to curb
violence and gang activity. This is not the lesson I wanted those five
kids to have presented to them.

Pat Dyer,
Sunnyvale

A The arena has a no-smoking policy that becomes more difficult to
enforce during some concerts similar in nature to Tha Bomb, says Jim
Sparaco, Compaq Center spokesman. Such concerts "attract an audience
that includes a large, free-spirited, smoking population," Sparaco
said. His comments were echoed by a number of other people we
contacted regarding this issue.

When the lights go down, it becomes difficult to enforce a no-smoking
policy, especially when there's such a large number of guests smoking.
Sparaco said the arena employs ushers and security people to ensure
guest safety. "We do not have a staff large enough to designate one
usher to watch over a particular guest or group of guests," Sparaco
said.

For decades, it has been a standard that certain concerts cater to
those who may indulge in pot smoking. Sparaco said someone from his
staff has contacted you to apologize for the concert and go over the
issues you raised.

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