Making Healthy Changes

Clubs need systems in place to reduce exposure to second-hand smoke (Healthy Sporting Environments evaluation)

Sporting organisation and clubs should encourage the development of smoke-free environments within sport settings by creating either partially or completely smoke-free venues. You may wish to implement a totally smokefree policy, where smoking is not permitted anywhere within the club’s grounds. Alternatively, you may consider it more appropriate to take a phased-in approach and designate some outdoor areas within your club grounds as smokefree, with the ultimate goal of becoming totally smokefree in the future.

Some examples of helpful strategies that were highlighted during the Healthy Sporting Environments program to encourage the reduction of tobacco use included:

• Creating smoke-free areas,
• Displaying signage, and
• Implementing reduced tobacco use/ smoke-free policy.

Benefits of these strategies included:

• Reduction of smoking in and around clubs,
• Increase in facilities reported as smoke-free by clubs, and
• Increase in facilities reported as partially smoke-free by clubs.

“Charlton Croquet Club is a completely smoke-free venue. Murrabit Lawn Tennis Club adopted a new smoke free policy, created designated smoking areas, and displayed new signage to help identify smoke free areas”.

When designing designated smoking areas, it is important to consider where it will be positioned. Some clubs put their designated smoking areas outside of the club boundary and on the street, others choose to locate it away from club facilities but within the club boundary. Consider the following recommendations when deciding what is best for your club:

• Ensure there is limited foot traffic in the proposed area;
• Provide appropriate options for disposal of butts;
• Keep away from areas where food and drinks are consumed;
• Keep away from building entrances;
• Keep away from ventilation intakes (heating and cooling)
• Display appropriate signage; and
• Keep 10 metres away from sporting grounds (junior sport).

Quit provides a comprehensive resource centre for sporting groups and provides guidelines demonstrating how to create a smokefree sports club.

Please click on the following link to download resources to support you with:

• Going partially smoke-free
• Going completely smoke-free
• How to go smoke-free implementation framework
• Sample club members survey
• Sample club policy: meeting existing legislation; partially smoke free; completely smoke free
• How to approach non-compliance of your policy
• Sample communication text
• Sample posters

“Bareena Bowls Club moved towards designated smoking areas to reduce smoking around the greens and put No Smoking signs up along the building. This was part of the bigger picture to attract new members to the club and improve the club facilities” (Healthy Sporting Environments evaluation)

“Some fear that they may be isolating members (especially life members) who are smokers and it can be difficult to change behaviours - get smokers to quit or accept change. Therefore, using a ‘family friendly’ approach may be helpful in acceptance of reduced tobacco use so as not to individualise” (Healthy Sporting Environments evaluation)

During the Healthy Sporting Environments Program some clubs were initially reluctant to go completely smoke-free however those involved were able to think about and focus on the benefits of providing a healthier experience to the majority of their members. The program provided clubs with the support to make positive change and help them move towards smoke-free environments as well as helping minimise the uptake of smoking by members in their clubs. Smokefree environments enjoy strong levels of support in the community – even among smokers.

There are a range of benefits when implementing smoke-free or partially smoke free settings in sporting clubs including:

• Reduced risk of exposure to second-hand smoke;
• Reduced visibility of smoking;
• Good role modelling;
• Creating a safe environment;
• Reduction of health risks associated with smoking;
• Displaying a duty of care to members;
• Attracting and retaining members;
• Meeting the expectations and needs of the community; and
• Displaying a positive club image (family friendly and welcoming).

There are many strategies that your organisation or club can undertake to encourage going smokefree and to ensure your club displays themselves as a responsible and family friendly club. Going smoke free - a guide for sporting clubs is a great supportive resource available on the Quit website that provides an overview of why going smoke-free is great for sporting clubs.

For more information on how to create smoke free settings that meet current legislative requirements for junior sport, please click on the following link.

“Quambatook Football Netball Club had 27 club members complete a smoking survey. As a result, they adopted a new smoke-free policy and non-compliance policy. Signage was also erected to adhere to legislation of no smoking within 10 metres of underage sport.”