GLOUCESTER Rugby is to ban smoking from all viewing areas at their Kingsholm ground.

In a move that will eventually ensure Kingsholm is a no-smoking stadium, the C&G Grandstand, High Tech Stand, Shed and the West Terrace will all see smoking banned this season.

However, the club will provide provision for smokers behind the High Tech Stand and in the concourse areas of the ground.

"As ever in these situations, it is impossible to please 100% of the people all of the time and we recognise there are elements of our supporters who would like the opportunity to smoke at games," said Gloucester's operations manager, Sean Roberts.

"In time, we would like to move the stadium to a smoke-free zone but this allows us to introduce that measure in stages and we believe that is better for our supporters inside the ground as a whole."

The other change at the stadium for the 2008-9 season will be the gate opening times.

The ground will now not be open until two hours before kick-off and Roberts added: "The draw on resources to open three hours beforehand was unnecessary, particularly as 98% of supporters arrive within two hours of the kick off.

"So much goes into ensuring the stadium is fit and ready for use that the extra hour will also be critical and we hope supporters can understand why we have fallen into line with other Premiership clubs."