Tobacco Free Policy
Marathon Minor Hockey Association
Tobacco Free Sports Policy
Overview
·The Marathon Minor Hockey Association wishes to promote a healthy athletic environment and portray a positive role model for youth. Tobacco use is considered the single most preventable cause of premature disease and death in Canada. We recognize that the health hazards from the use of tobacco products for both the user and the bystander has been well documented.
Policy Rationale
· The use of spit tobacco is a health and sanitation issue.
· Nicotine is a powerfully addictive substance.
· Nicotine harms an athlete’s performance.
· Secondhand smoke is a threat to the personal health of everyone, especially persons with asthma and other respiratory problems.
· Children and adolescents often emulate their sports “heroes and heroines”.
Definition
For the purposes of this Policy, tobacco is defined to include spit tobacco, also known as smokeless, dip, chew, and snuff, in any form and any lit or unlit cigarette, cigar, pipe, bidi, or clove cigarette. Tobacco use includes smoking, chewing, dipping or any other use of tobacco products.
Policy
The use of tobacco, including smokeless tobacco, by athletes, or team or game personnel (coaches, athletic trainers, managers, and game officials), is prohibited in all sports during practice and competition. This Policy applies to all practice, training and competition sites and is considered to begin upon arrival and ends when one leaves.
Procedures
- Publication: This Policy will be posted on the Marathon Minor Hockey Website. All athletes and staff shall be made aware of the Tobacco Free Sports Policy during the registration.
Compliance
Any athlete, team personnel, officials, scorers and other game personnel who use tobacco during practice or competition shall be directed to immediately dispose of the tobacco product. Failure to comply when directed will result in being asked to leave the premises for the remainder of that practice or competition. Repeat offenders will be referred to the P.U.C.K Committee.
The success of this Policy will depend upon mutual consideration and co-operation.
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