Tobacco-Free Sports and Recreation Policies

Tobacco-Free Sports and Recreation Policies
Spectator Surveys
For Case Study I, the PHU collected surveys (n=50) at one home game (youth staff assisted) in
December 2011. Fifty-four per cent of of the 50 spectator survey respondents were male, 46%
were female. Their ages ranged from 16-19 years to 65+ years, with the most common age group
40-49 yrs. Almost all (n=48, 96%) of the spectators had completed high school or university. Of
the two that had not completed high school, one male was aged 16-19 years (still in school) and
one (male) was aged 65 years+. Most reported their role as either a parent (n=39) or another
relative of a player (n=8). One player, one “spectator” without a relation to team members and
one friend of player were also reported. The majority of surveyed spectators (n=47, 94%)
attended hockey events (games/ practices) on a weekly basis, two were monthly attendees.
More than half of the respondents (n=30, 60%) lived in the community.
Findings
Rationale for TFSR Policy Development
All participants in this evaluation were asked to reflect on the rationale or reasons for developing
a TFSR policy for their hockey team(s). A few participants felt that the $500 PLBTF seed grant 5
was an important incentive for the team, especially when faced with the challenge to raise extra
funds for team uniforms (jerseys and work-out gear).
Number one incentive obviously is money. Sports [Laugh] teams are constantly
looking for funding to support the needs of their team--so that was a good fit.
When they looked at what the requirements were within this grant application--
there wasn’t a lot of work to be done and it was a good fit within their sport
because really tobacco and sports don’t mix-so when it came to having to
implement the policy with the age groups that we were working with--it really, it
was more a role modeling piece and education to the kids but it wasn’t that anyone
would potentially be cut from a team because at that age they’re not using tobacco
yet. (PHU Key Informant)
According to another PHU informant and one team coach, the teams decided to develop the TFSR
policy in part by what they had personally witnessed at the higher levels of hockey in the
community: players who regularly and openly used chew tobacco. The local Junior-level team had
5 Through an application process, PLBTF seed grants were provided to a number of sport teams and recreational groups
across Ontario to create and promote a tobacco-free policy.
Ontario Tobacco Research Unit 15