ANTI-smoking activists have called for the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow to be completely tobacco-free.

Ash Scotland said that cigarettes should be banned from sale around venues and there should be a comprehensive no-smoking policy in stadiums and near sports.

The call has been backed by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and 40 other health organisations in 16 Commonwealth countries.

Sheila Duffy, chief executive of Ash Scotland, said: "We believe there is no place for tobacco at the Commonwealth Games. An event celebrating healthy achievement and providing positive role models for our young people should support people not to smoke, rather than providing facilities for them to do so, and create smoke-free environments for children."

Dr Linda de Caestecker, Director of Public Health, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, said: "We absolutely support the aspiration to make the 2014 Commonwealth Games smoke-free.

"While there may be challenges in implementation, we hope to discuss with the organising committee making the Games as smoke-free as possible."

A spokesman for the Games said: "Glasgow 2014 will comply with all relevant legislation as well as examining how best to support public health messaging while delivering an outstanding athlete centred sports focused Commonwealth Games of which Glasgow and Scotland can be proud."

A tobacco-free policy was introduced at the Delhi Games in 2010, spearheaded by Dr Rana J Singh, of the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease.