This page was reviewed or revised on Friday, September 30, 2011 11:48 AM
What is Tobacco-Free Sport & Recreation?
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Tobacco-free sport and recreation means everyone taking part in a sport or recreational activity does not use tobacco industry products. |
It also means participants, spectators, coaches and leaders do not smoke, or use snuff, dip, or chew tobacco while engaged in the activities of your organization.
Jordan Hill Speaks on Tobacco Free Sports
You too can be tobacco-free by not smoking, snuffing, dipping, or chewing any tobacco products.
Why tobacco-free?
- Preventing youth from starting to use tobacco products.
- Nicotine in cigarettes, cigars, and chew tobacco is addictive.
- There are no safe tobacco products. Cigars, chew tobacco, bidis and kreteks are NOT safe alternatives to cigarettes.
- Tobacco affects your performance. It slows lung growth, decreases lung function and provides less oxygen to your muscles to excel when playing sports.
- Smokers suffer shortness of breath (gasp!) almost 3 times more often than non-smokers.
- Smokers run slower and cannot run as far, affecting overall athletic performance.
- Smoking affects an athlete’s endurance, making aerobic activity more difficult.
- A smoker’s heart beats 3 times faster than a non-smoker, so when competing, the body wastes a lot of heartbeats just trying to keep up with non-smokers.
- Nicotine narrows your blood vessels and puts added strain on your heart.
- Smoking can wreck lungs and reduce oxygen available for muscles used during sports.
Get an Assist!
- As role models, coaches and sports organizations can promote healthy lifestyle choices, and that includes being tobacco-free.
- Get the facts. Smokeless tobacco is popular among athletes, but it is not a safe alternative to cigarettes.
- Talk directly to youth about the risks of tobacco use.
Send Tobacco to the Penalty Box!
- Each day 101 Canadians die from sickness related to tobacco; that is 37,000 people every year.
- Tobacco-free sports and recreation create a healthier place for people of all ages to be active.
- Tobacco-free sports create good role models and help those trying to stop using tobacco products.
Coaches and Sports Organizations
Coaches, referees, adult leaders and sports organizations have a positive impact on youth. As a role model you can promote healthy lifestyle choices and that includes being tobacco-free.
Coaches and sports organizations can:
- Set a good example by not using tobacco products around players.
- Talk to players about being tobacco-free. Focus on the immediate effects such as decreased performance and endurance.
- Develop a tobacco-free policy to connect existing codes of conduct for parents/guardians, other spectators and players. Send a copy to parents or guardians.
- Include a letter about second-hand smoke in packages for parents/guardians.
- Promote a tobacco-free policy at registration events.
- Ask players to sign an “I agree to be tobacco-free…” contract or pledge
For more information please call County of Lambton, Community Health Services Department, 519 344-2062, ext. 2205 or 1-800-387-2882, ext. 2205.
Related Links:
- Play, Live, Be Tobacco-Free
- Tobacco-Free Sports - Nova Scotia Health Promotion -
- The Tobacco-Free Sports Playbook - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention -
- Tobacco Tool Kit
- Meet Rick Bender
- Athletic Performance
- Killer Facts about Chewing Tobacco - Smokeless tobacco use is popular among athletes. It is also known as chew, spit, dip, chew, chaw, plug, snuff and snus. Regardless of its name smokeless tobacco is not a safe alternative to cigarettes.
Did you know?
- Smokeless tobacco contains over 3,000 chemicals; at least 28 cause cancer.
- Smokeless tobacco users are more at risk of heart disease, hypertension and ulcers.
- Smokeless tobacco contains nicotine that makes tobacco addictive. There is a high amount of nicotine from a single chew or dip.
Find out more facts:
If You Need Help Quitting:
- My Last Dip
- I quit
- Tips to Quit - http://lambtonhealth.on.ca/Classes-And-Clinics/Stop-Smoking-Program
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