Tobacco free policy to be implemented

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Tobacco free sports and recreation areas began in 2002 when the World Health Organization (WHO) initiated a World No Tobacco Day and the Grey Bruce Health Unit brought the idea forward to Saugeen Shores Town Council last fall.

Implementing tobacco free sports includes everyone taking part in an organized sport or recreational activity, including volunteers, officials, coaches, leaders and spectators.  The concept is to ban smoking or using tobacco products on any sports playing field or within nine meters (approximately 20 ft.) of any playground equipment.

While the Grey Bruce Health Unit asked for a By-law to be passed, Council instead opted to implement a Tobacco Free Sport and Recreation Spaces 'policy'.

"By approving the policy," says Community Services Director, Mike Myatt, "the Town sends a clear message to all citizens that we do not support the use of tobacco industry proudcts in any form for participants or spectators involved in organized sports."

An education-marketing plan is expected to be intitiated with the Department of Community Servies partnering with the Grey Bruce Health Unit.

Although signage has been considered, Myatt said he would prefer to see the community 'self-police' through becoming educated.  "I don't think we need more signs and we would like to see citizens become aware through things like mail-outs with various organized sports registrations.  We are looking at sports areas in particular for the first year and then, perhaps, we'll begin to look at the beaches and trails, etc."

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Monday, January 11, 2010