Why Tobacco-Free Sport & Recreation is Important

Sport and recreation organizations play a vital role in the health and wellness of our community. Incorporating a tobacco-free policy in your organization’s programming strengthens the positive impact your organization has on the health of the community.

The benefits include:

1. Preventing youth from starting to use tobacco industry products
   • Children and youth model their behaviour after the people they look up to - coaches, leaders, family, and peers.
2. Giving everyone a chance to perform at their best
   • Tobacco use counters the health benefits gained by participating in sport and recreational activities.
3. Protecting the environment
   • Cigarette butts are the main source of litter in cities and on beaches. It takes 15 years for a cigarette butt to biodegrade.
4. Protecting children from second-hand smoke
   • There is no safe level of exposure to second-hand smoke, even outdoors.
5. Creating a tobacco-free culture
   • It is important for youth to receive the same tobacco-free messages at their local sport or recreation activities as they experience at school and in the wider community.
6. Helping people trying to quit
   • The temptation to use tobacco industry products is reduced when it is restricted in public spaces.
     Smokers’ Help Line: 1-877-513-5333