Tobacco-Free Sports and Recreation Policies

Tobacco-Free Sports and Recreation Policies
CASE STUDY II: WOMEN’S HOCKEY LEAGUE
Characteristics
Case Study II is a rural community that implemented its TFSR policy in 2010.
The hockey league is comprised of approximately 115 women players who are engaged in the
sport for a variety of reasons: recreational and health, as well as to bolster their competitive
skills.
An estimated TFSR policy reach includes all league players plus their associated family and
friends who regularly attend league games once per week. As well, the PLBTF logo is posted on a
variety of arena doors where this league frequently plays. A wide range of spectators who are
attending the arena for other hockey events may also be exposed to TFSR messaging.
The main host arena for the women’s league had recently adopted a smoking ban and has posted
signs that indicate no smoking within nine meters of the arena entrance.
Data Collection Activities
OTRU conducted one focus group (n=7) with players in March 2012 in an arena boardroom.
Participants ranged in age from 25-46 years and had played in this league between 4-22 years.
OTRU also conducted in-person interviews with hockey administrators (n=2) and phone
interviews with PHU key informants (n=2).
Spectator Surveys
OTRU collected surveys at home games in March 2012 (n=15). Of the 15 spectator survey
respondents, the majority (n=9) were male. All respondents lived in the community and their
ages ranged from 16-19 years to 65+years, and the most common age group was 20-29 years
group. Most reported being parents of players (n=6) or a friend of a player (n=6), and three
respondents were another relative of a player. All respondents had completed high school or
university. Most attended hockey events such as games or practices on a weekly (n=8) or
monthly basis (n=6), and one spectator attended only yearly.
Ontario Tobacco Research Unit 29