Resources Library – Smoke-Free Environments – Sports & Recreation

Smoke-Free Environments – Sports & Recreation

Tobacco and smoke-free sports mean that:

• players, participants, coaches, sports administrators, leaders, officials, and spectators do not use tobacco and vaping products while involved in sporting activities;
• participants and spectators of sporting events are not exposed to second-hand smoke; and
• there is no tobacco and vaping product advertising, sponsorship or marketing at sports events or venues.
  (Source: Tobacco-Free Sports Program Handbook – Sports NB)

There are several important reasons why sports should be tobacco and moke-free, including;

• to protect athletes, spectators, officials, and volunteers from the harm caused by second-hand smoke;
• to help create supportive environments and positive social norms for tobacco and smoke-free behaviours;
• to eliminate the mixed messages that the community receives through tobacco and vaping products advertising and its connection with sporting events; and
• to send a message that the health of all of those involved in sports, whether as athletes, spectators, officials, administrators, or volunteers, is important.
  (Source: Tobacco-Free Sports Program Handbook – Sport NB)

Smoke and Vape Free NB (SVFNB) encourages coaches, parents, athletes, and volunteers to be Wellness Champions by educating on the dangers and risks of tobacco and vaping products use and making the conscious decision to ensure their team follows a tobacco and smoke-free policy. Contact us for help and advice!

Legislation & Policies

In addition to ensuring a no tobacco and vaping product use policy for your team, coaches should be aware of no-smoking/no vaping designated smoke-free environments required by the New Brunswick Smoke-Free Places Act, which, since July 2015, includes many outdoor settings where sports & recreation take place, such as:

• on the grounds of a school; and 
• on or within 20 metres of children’s equipment and sports areas located in an outdoor public place.

See our Smoke-Free Environments page for the complete list of all designated smoke-free spaces required by law in New Brunswick.

Reporting Smoking and Vaping Violations

See our Smoke-Free Environments page.

Signage

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

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:

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

Tobacco and Vaping Products – Education and Prevention via Sports

There are also many resources on our Prevention – Children and Prevention – Youth and Young Adults pages.

Funding & Grants

Funding and grants available for tobacco and vaping products use education and prevention, as well as smoke-free sports, are listed on our Funding & Grants page.

Learning Opportunities

Are you a coach, school administrator, teacher, student leader, concerned parent, 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 smoking and vaping; and
• aligning your efforts with those already underway nationally and provincially.

Success Stories -Tobacco and Smoke-Free Sports