Resources Library – Smoke-Free Environments – Events

Smoke-Free Environments – Events

Ensuring that a no-smoking policy is respected during public events protects people, especially children, from exposure to dangerous second-hand smoke. It also role models and reinforces positive, healthy behaviours as well as helps to keep event sites clean and litter-free.

Since enclosed/indoor public places are already regulated under New Brunswick’s Smoke-Free Places Act to be smoke-free, it is quite easy to enforce a smoke-free policy during an indoor event. Most New Brunswickers know not to smoke in indoor public places. If anyone is seen smoking or vaping any type of substance, they should be immediately asked to stop or leave the premises.

When it comes to outdoor events; however, organizers sometimes hesitate or do not know where to start. There is a common misconception that second-hand smoke is not as dangerous in an outdoor setting. However, research shows that even in an outdoor setting, second-hand smoke can be hazardous. Depending on conditions such as wind speed and the number and proximity of smokers, non-smokers can be exposed to as much second-hand smoke as if they were indoors. (Source: Making My Outdoor Event Smoke-Free – NBATC – 2019)

Event organizers can show participants as well as their community how much they care about health and wellness by choosing to make their outdoor event smoke-free. Planning, organizing, and holding a smoke-free outdoor event, is, in fact, quite simple.

Add “smoke-free” to event print promotional materials and online descriptions on websites and social media. Make sure that there is smoke-free signage at the event location. In most cases, there will already be ‘No Smoking’ signs at the venue, if the event is held in one of New Brunswick’s designated smoke-free public outdoor spaces (Smoke-Free Spaces Act). Take a moment to mention and point out the sign at the beginning of the event.

If there is no signage already on the premises because the event is held in a space that is not designated as smoke-free by law, event organizers can still decide to make your outdoor space smoke-free and enforce this policy for the duration of their event.

More information, signs, as well as handy scripts for staff and volunteers on explaining the smoke-free nature of an event, are available in the Smoke and Vape Free NB’s (SVFNB) toolkit Making My Outdoor Event Smoke-Free. Contact us for help and support!

Legislation & Policies

See our Smoke-Free Environments page for more information on designated smoke-free indoor and outdoor spaces.

Reporting Smoking and Vaping Violations

See our Smoke-Free Environments page.

Signage

See our Smoke-Free Environments page for information on required signage as well as downloadable signs and templates.

Our Making My Outdoor Event Smoke-Free Guide also provides downloadable smoke-free event signs.

Dangers of Exposure to Second and Third-Hand Smoke

See our Smoke-Free Environments page for information on the importance of smoke-free environments and the dangers of second and third-hand smoke – in both indoor and outdoor settings.

Of particular interest:

• Smoke Is Smoke! – New Brunswick Anti-Tobacco Coalition (2019)
• Outdoor Spaces: Smoke-Free for All – New Brunswick Anti-Tobacco Coalition (2015)
• The Tobacco Atlas: Second-Hand Smoke (2019)

Resources – Making Events Smoke-Free

Funding & Grants

Funding and grants available for creating smoke-free events and policies in your community are listed on our Funding & Grants page.

Learning Opportunities – Smoke-Free Environments

Are you an event organizer, community leaders, health care professional or policymaker?  Recommended resources to consult are listed on our Smoke-Free Environments page for you to learn more about:

• statistics on smoking rates and exposure to second-hand and third-hand smoke;
• public health information on the health risks of smoking and vaping; and
• aligning your efforts with those already underway nationally and provincially.

Success Stories – Smoke-Free Events