11 May 2011
As the weather warms up, youth are heading outside to play on the fields and pitches. This is a great time for coaches, parents and organizations to encourage healthy behaviours by discouraging the use of tobacco products and reducing exposure to secondhand smoke.
Tobacco products include cigarettes, cigarillos and ‘smokeless tobacco’ products such as chew, dip, and spit tobacco. Just like cigarettes and cigarillos these smokeless products contain the addictive component nicotine. Holding an average sized dip or chew in the mouth for about 30 minutes produces as much nicotine as three cigarettes. Smokeless products contain more than 3,000 chemicals including at least 28 that cause cancer. People who use chew, dip and spit are at risk of disfiguring oral cancers, permanent gum recession, mouth sores, stomach irritation and ulcers.
Tobacco-free sport and recreation means participants, spectators, coaches and leaders refrain from the use of all tobacco products while participating in any organizational activities.
Local sport and recreation teams and organizations are establishing tobacco-free policies that give participants a chance to perform at their best. These policies reinforce the importance of tobacco-free living, promote adults as positive role models and contribute to the healthy development of our local communities.
Tobacco-free sport and recreation is complemented by the development of outdoor smoke-free bylaws. A growing number of local communities have implemented bylaws that prohibit or restrict smoking outdoors on and around playing fields, playground equipment, parks, and beaches. A recreation area free from people using tobacco products and exposure to secondhand smoke ensures everyone enjoys the full health benefits of physical activity and play.
Tobacco use remains the leading cause of preventable illness, disability and death in Canada. In Ontario smoking can be expected to kill one of every two long-term users. Unfortunately, Simcoe Muskoka has a higher smoking rate than the provincial average. Tobacco-free sport and recreation policies and outdoor smoke-free bylaws discourage youth uptake, protect people from secondhand smoke exposure, support cessation and promote tobacco-free living.
For more information about tobacco-free sport and recreation, local outdoor smoke-free bylaws or tobacco-related inquiries visit www.simcoemuskokahealth.org or call Your Health Connection at 705-721-7520 or toll free at 1-877-721-7520, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday.
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Dr. Gardner is Simcoe Muskoka’s medical officer of health.
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