Tobacco-Free Sports and Recreation Policies

Tobacco-Free Sports and Recreation Policies
INTRODUCTION
The Broad Context for the Evaluation
This evaluation examines the implementation and impacts of tobacco-free policies within ice
hockey settings in Ontario. The negative consequences of tobacco use and the short and longterm
health benefits of quitting are well documented (e.g., CPHA, 2011). The purpose of Tobacco-
Free Sport and Recreation (TFSR) policies is to prevent and reduce social exposure and use of
tobacco products by players, coaches, spectators and leaders (Bobbili, 2010). TFSR policies
ideally prevent and reduce use of tobacco through the reduction of physical and social exposure
to tobacco products, provide opportunities for denormalization of tobacco use and positive rolemodeling
for youth if coaches and spectators are smoke-free and promote cessation (Bobbili,
2010). Sporting organizations provide an important setting for policies to create health
promoting environments and to support health-oriented behaviour change (Priest et al 2008).
Play, Live, Be…Tobacco-Free (PLBTF) is an Ontario-based movement that promotes tobacco-free
activity in sport and recreation. PLBTF started in 2008 and is a collaboration of public health,
sport and non-profit organizations that support local, regional and provincial decision-makers in
developing tobacco-free policies (see Appendix I for PLBTF policy template). The PLBTF
collaborative is composed of the seven Tobacco Control Area Networks (representing the 36
Ontario public health units), the Program Training and Consultation Centre (PTCC),
SPORT4ONTARIO (S4O), the Coaches Association of Ontario (CAO), Physical Activity Resource
Centre (PARC), Parks and Recreation Ontario (PRO), Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) – Smokers’
Helpline (SHL), the Ontario Lung Association (OLA), and the Ontario Chronic Disease Prevention
Managers Network (source: http://www.playlivebetobaccofree.ca/). PLBTF received funding from
the Ministry of Health Promotion (Healthy Communities Approach) in 2009.
There are many elements to the PLBTF movement; since 2008, public health units across
Ontario’s seven TCAN regions have been engaged in promoting TFSR policies through a variety of
initiatives. These include developing signage, supporting sport and recreation organizations in
the adoption of TFSR policies, populating the PLBTF policy database, creating radio
advertisements and organizing tobacco-free events. In addition, PHU representatives and other
partners participate in a Tobacco Free Sport and Recreation Community of Practice (TFSR CoP)
coordinated by the PTCC (recently renamed the TFSR and Outdoor Spaces CoP).
Ontario Tobacco Research Unit 5