How to create a smokefree sports club

It is important to consider the current situation, and how your members and participants feel about going completely smokefree. You could ask for their suggestions at committee meetings and invite feedback on your proposal to become a smokefree club. This will help to assess the level of support in going smokefree and also any sources of resistance. You can even circulate a short survey to members.

View a sample club survey:  The sample survey can be used to find out the opinions of your members before implementing a smokefree policy

Developing a good smokefree policy requires providing information to members, considering feedback, and discussing your policy at your next committee meeting. This will help inform your decision about whether to go smokefree. It is important to ensure your committee supports the decision and identifies champions for the implementation of the policy. When developing your policy, remember to include your obligations to comply with existing legislation.

Finally, consider a compliance strategy to ensure everyone knows what is expected of them. A compliance strategy should outline strategies to assist people to follow the policy. You can include: asking people if they are aware of the bans, informing them where they can smoke and informing them of the reasons for the ban.

• View the Sample smokefree policy for meeting existing legislation. This policy template can be used to ensure your club meets the existing minimum requirements for smokefree areas under the current legislation.
  
• View the Sample smokefree policy for partially smokefree. This policy template can be used for implementing a smokefree policy, although you will maintain a single smoking area out of line of sight of playing areas
  
• View the Sample smokefree policy for completely smokefree. This policy template can be used to bring in a completely smokefree policy at your club; anyone who wishes to smoke will have to leave the premises
  
• View How to approach non-compliance. This section explains some strategies for dealing with people who may continue to smoke in smokefree areas

Notify all of your members, as well as your league / association and other local clubs of your new policy and the date it comes into effect. Remember that other people from outside the club will need to abide by the new policy and they will need to know about it. Promote your new policy to local media and community groups, like schools and kindergartens. This is a great way to be a leader in your community and show other clubs they can make the same positive changes.

• View a sample communication text. This document contains templates for use by clubs to develop communication explaining their smokefree policy

Install signage in places where people currently smoke and where it is visible. Ensure there is some signage at the entrance of the ground and include some resources for people who may be interested in quitting themselves. Make sure all your signage and resources are in place before the start of your new policy so people will be prepared for the change.

View resources and signage

Consider if your policy and implementation has been a success. If you need to change anything, or go back to one of your earlier steps then do so and make sure you communicate your progress to your members. 

For more information, view our comprehensive Going Smokefree: A Guide for Sporting Clubs