Tobacco-Free Sports and Recreation Policies

Tobacco-Free Sports and Recreation Policies
Challenges in Implementing TFSR Policy
Staff and Funding Challenges
A few respondents referred to the lack of TFSR policy review which has meant that key tobaccofree
messages have not remained at the forefront of the league’s organization. For one PHU
informant there is little time available to continue much of the TFSR public relation and media
awareness activities that occurred as part of the initial PLBTF grants.
A few participants also cited funding challenges that caused TFSR-related activities to fall to the
wayside. For example, maintenance of the women’s league website relies on volunteers but has
been disbanded in the past year due to shortages of skilled volunteers. The TFSR policy had been
posted on this website but was inaccessible at the time of this report. One hockey administrator
provided a further example of funding challenges that impact the league’s ability to continue to
promote TFSR policy and messaging:
We don’t have that [published TSFR league materials] because we don’t have the
money as a league to produce that ourselves each year. That’s the last thing as the
treasurer to say, ‘Okay don’t forget we’re going to spend another you know two
hundred and fifty dollars’…It’d be like no, we can’t afford to do that. (League
Treasurer)
Facilitators in Implementing TFSR Policy
According to all spectator survey respondents, the policy implementation had led to increased
awareness about the policy and about healthy lifestyle more generally. Respondents also stated
that the TFSR policy had reduced exposure to SHS and had facilitated behaviour change in
smokers such as increased compliance with the designated area–away from arena doors and
management/self-regulation of their smoking:
(Policy) forces people who want to smoke to actually think about their smoke–preplan
their last cigarette. (Spectator)
A further comment was that the policy led individuals to consider themselves as role models for
the younger players.
Ontario Tobacco Research Unit 36