The East Malvern Junior Football Club (EMJFC) recognises that passive smoking (inhaling second-hand smoke) is hazardous to health and that non-smokers should be protected from tobacco smoke. Passive smoking can lead to other serious illnesses such as bronchitis, lung cancer, cardiovascular disease, and chest illnesses in children. Accordingly the following policy has been developed by EMJFC to help protect people’s health.
The move to go SmokeFree also complements the EMJFC’s desire to create a healthy family friendly environment. The EMJFC believes that such an environment and image will be advantageous in attracting new members and positively promoting the Club in the community.
Legislation and the legal duty of care also provide reasons to have a SmokeFree Club. Under common law the EMJFC has a legal duty of care to ensure that employees, volunteers, players and officials are not exposed to potentially harmful situations. The Occupational Health and Safety Act also stipulates that employees and working volunteers must have a safe environment to work in. Victorian Smoke-Free dinning legislation also states that enclosed dinning areas must be Smoke-Free.
Who is Affected by the Policy ?
This policy applies to all members, administrators, officials, coaches, players and visitors of the (EMJFC).
Timing This policy is effective from The 1st of April 2004
Designate Smoke-Free Areas The (EMJFC) requires the following areas to be SmokeFree:
- Club and social rooms
- Administration and office areas
- Changing rooms
- Toilet blocks
- Indoor spectator viewing areas
- Playing areas
- Eating areas
- Grandstands and spectator viewing areas
- Near entries and exits of buildings, facilities, and the ground.
Behavioural Expectations
The EMJFC recognises that role modelling can have a significant impact upon the junior members of the Club. Hence, the following individuals and groups are to refrain from smoking while they are acting in an official capacity for the Club or while in Club uniform:
- Coaches (when coaching or representing the Club)
- Trainers (when training players)
- Officials (when officiating for the Club)
- Volunteers (when working for the Club)
- Players (when in uniform and representing the Club)
- Coaches and trainers will also speak to junior players about the effects of smoking on performance.
Promotion of the Policy
The following mediums will remind patrons about the EMJFC’s Smoke-Free policy:
- Non-smoking signs
- Club handbook
- Advertising and promotional resources (eg brochures, newspaper ads etc)
- Club correspondence (letters, faxes, e-mails etc)
- Announcements
- Table signage
- Function speeches
- Signage
- Ashtrays will be removed from the Clubrooms to discourage smoking.
Non-Compliance Strategy
The following five step non-compliance strategy will be followed if anyone breaches the (EMJFC)’s SmokeFree policy:
Assume that the person is unaware of the Smoke-Free policy.
A staff member or Club representative will approach the person breaching the policy and politely ask them to refrain from smoking and remind them about the SmokeFree policy.
If the offence continues, then the most senior staff member or most senior Club representative will verbally warn them again and hand over a formally written letter that outlines the Club’s policy on smoking. The offending patron must also be made aware that if they don’t stop smoking then they will be required to leave the Club’s facility. The Club’s management committee will sign off on the letter. This letter will be pre-written and kept both behind the bar and in the Club secretary’s office so that copies are readily available.
If the offence does continue then the patron will be escorted out of the facility by staff and/or a senior Club representative.
Under no circumstances should the (EMJFC)’s Smoke-Free policy be breached: No matter who the offender is.
Sale of Tobacco Products
The (EMJFC) will refrain from selling tobacco products.
Policy Review
The policy will be reviewed three months after its introduction and then on an annual basis thereafter. This will ensure that the policy remains current and practical.
Cigarette butt bins will be provided outside to encourage smokers to smoke outside.
Executive Committee | East Malvern Junior Football Club