The following legislation requirements apply when implementing a smoke free and partially smoke free setting in your organisation, facility or club.
Tobacco Legislation was first introduced in 1987 to help reduce:
- Smoking prevalence,
- Health impacts of smoking related diseases and deaths,
- Effects of second-hand smoke, and
- Social costs such as loss of productivity and health system costs.
New Victorian tobacco reforms commenced on 1 August 2017 and have increased the locations where smoking is restricted or not permitted. Today, legislation covers most public settings within our communities including:
- Workplaces,
- Schools and childcare centres,
- Public transport,
- Hospitals and community health centres,
- Restaurants and outdoor dining, and
- Outdoor public spaces including patrolled beaches, public swimming pools, playgrounds and skateparks.
New tobacco reforms have been enacted across multiple locations where people spend their time. Sporting organisations and clubs should be familiar with all legislative requirements regarding tobacco use in sport settings including venues and facilities that aren’t specifically designed for sport (i.e. Clubs participating in school stadiums). If they do not adhere to the requirements stipulated within legislation, an infringement notice of breach and penalties may be imposed.
Smoking is not permitted within 10-metres of any sporting venues where there is organised sport for children under the age of 18. This includes training sessions. Click on the following link to learn more: Under-age sporting events- smoke-free
Sporting clubs should consider how other major settings are addressing tobacco use. This may include total bans on smoking. Creating smoke-free settings can eliminate challenges that clubs may face with minimising exposure to tobacco use, particularly with children who are in attendance during senior sport. Sport administrators may also find it easier to make changes to their club around tobacco use when it is reinforced by other organisations such as State Government legislation and Local Government requirements such as inclusion in lease agreements. Similarly sporting organisations could work together to develop a consistent smoke-free policy when they operate out of a multi-use venue. For example, cricket, football, netball and tennis clubs that all use the same local government reserve.
Legislation supports the reduction of tobacco use within sporting clubs and venues giving the ability to effectively implement smoking reform (Healthy Sporting Environments evaluation)
In addition to legislation, clubs should also check their local government and sport league policies as they may provide further restrictions that must be adhered to:
e.g. Mornington Peninsula Junior Football League
The Department of Health and Human Service website provides downloads of fact sheets, posters, signage and public information relating to tobacco controls and legislation. Please click on the following links to receive up to date information on:
- Children’s recreational areas - smoke-free
- Underage sporting events - smoke-free
- Resources and factsheets – tobacco reform