Bench the Tobacco Industry
For years now, young people across Ontario have been taking action and creating tobacco-free policies in their communities. Youth and young adults have been key players in tobacco-free sport and recreation and can you too!
Take action by suggesting your sport or recreation organization become tobacco-free. This will create a more positive and healthy place for everyone. Tobacco-free policies can be for any sport or recreation activity, even BMX biking, cheerleading or snowboarding.
The process involves four simple steps:
Gather Info
Does your team already have a tobacco-free policy? Schools already have smoking bans, but some do not include all tobacco industry products. If so, are people aware of it? Does it need to be updated, explained or reinforced?
Talk to you coaches, teachers, etc. to find out if there is a policy already in place. If there is, is it understood that this policy includes the players themselves and not just the spectators?
Benefits of gather info
- Save time – you may learn you already have a tobacco-free policy.
- Reviewing policies will help identify gaps that a new or revised tobacco-policy could fill in.
- Know your team; they can help you make decisions and support your cause.
Create Awareness
Is there support for a tobacco-free sport and recreation policy? Test the waters by asking students to sign a pledge to be tobacco-free or discuss with your peers to assess their support for a tobacco-free sport and recreation policy.
During the next team meeting, tell your teammates about the importance of tobacco-free sport and recreation using information from the Tobacco Industry 101.
At the meeting, get the support of your coaches and teammates, and round up those interested to help create the policy.
Write the policy
A good tobacco-free policy:
- Sends a clear message that your school does not support the use of tobacco industry products in any form and that you will not allow its use during any activities.
- Includes how you plan to enforce your policy. Consequences for breaking the policy need to be fair and reasonable.
Questions to consider when creating your tobacco-free policy:
- Why is the tobacco-free policy important?
- Who will be affected by the policy?
- What areas will be included in the policy? (Schools are already smoke-free, but chew tobacco is not banned. Encourage your team members to be free from tobacco-industry products throughout the duration of the playing season).
- When will the tobacco-free policy come into effect?
- How will the tobacco-free policy be communicated and enforced?
- What are the consequences if the policy is violated?
Tips:
- Allow time for discussion with peers, parents and coaches
- Be flexible; allow the policy to be edited with help from your peers, coaches and parents
- Keep your policy clear, easy-to-read, and understandable
When and how you introduce your tobacco-free policy is important. The beginning
of a new season is usually a good time to do so. Making the policy known to team
members and your peers before the season will allow them to grow accustomed to
the new regulations. Be sure to promote the new policy or it may be ignored.
Consider using the following ideas to promote your new tobacco-free policy:
- Explain the policy to all team members
- Have an FAQ sheet ready
- Make announcements to inform the entire school
- Distribute formal letters to all members of your team, encouraging them to
support the change and act as role models for your school
- Write a blurb in the school newspaper or in a newsletter for parents
Put your mark on it
Make your policy stand out by using catchy logos or slogans; they are essential for relaying the tobacco-free message! You can find tobacco-free logos in the resource section (hyperlink to section). They will help promote your policy.
A recognizable symbol will allow people to know when an activity is tobacco-free.
Show that your team is tobacco-free by using the logo on:
- Signs and banners on all playing fields
- T-Shirts, team jerseys, or group uniforms
- Team website
All written materials:
- Registration forms
- Notices to players and families
- Newsletters
- Invitation
- Promotional flyers
- Programs
- Handbooks
Tips:
- Make sure that your tobacco-free policy does not attack tobacco users
- Provide the policy to all team members, coaches, peers, parents, etc.
- Post the policy in the school.
Spread the word
Promotion is the key to the success of the tobacco-free policy. You need to let people know about the policy before they can follow it.
- Include the written policy with the first schedule of game/meeting dates sent home so that parents will be informed. The school newsletter is a great way to spread the word!
- Post the policy outside recreational areas and announce the policy before all games.
- Encourage participants to make a pledge to be tobacco-free.
Make sure your policy stands out and is not ignored. Make sure that your teammates, peers, coaches and parents understand that they share the responsibility for keeping recreational areas tobacco-free.
Include a ‘non-compliance strategy’ in your policy. A non-compliance strategy tells people what to do if someone uses tobacco industry products during your tobacco-free activity. The strategy follows a simple step-by-step process and it is easy for people to follow.
Tips:
- Make sure all team members know the consequences of violating the tobacco-free policy.
- Make sure to give a friendly reminder to first-time offenders and follow through with consequences with repeated offenders.
Smoke-Free Ontario
The Smoke-Free Ontario Act (SFO) come into effect on May 31, 2006 and bans smoking in all enclosed workplaces, school property, and enclosed public places. Adopting a tobacco-free policy in your school keeps you a step ahead of the game by protecting you and your friends from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke.
Visit www.mhp.gov.on.ca/english/health/smoke_free for more info about SFO