SMOKE FREE AND VAPE FREE POLICY
1. Purpose
The Waverley Park Hawks Junior Football Club recognises that passive smoking and inhalation of vapours is hazardous to health, and those non-smoking club members and visitors have the right to be protected from exposure to tobacco smoke and vaping.
This policy is designed to provide a safe and healthy smoke-free and vape-free environment for all Club members, players, volunteers, staff, and visitors of Waverley Park Hawks Junior Football Club in accordance with the Australian Health Department guidelines.
Accordingly, the following policy shall apply to all club facilities, functions, meetings and activities undertaken by the club and will apply to all members, officials, players and club visitors.
2. Victorian Department of Health
“Under Victoria’s Tobacco Act 1987 (the Tobacco Act), smoking and the use of e-cigarettes (vaping) is prohibited in all enclosed workplaces and certain public spaces where members of the public gather.
This is because there may be exposure to second-hand tobacco smoke and the aerosol (vapour) from
e-cigarettes”. (health.vic.gov.au/tobacco-reform/smoke-free-and-vape-free-areas).
3. Facilities
All club facilities are to be completely smoke and vape-free including:
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The social rooms inclusive of bar, canteen, meeting room, toilets and storage areas.
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Player change rooms inclusive of warm up area, toilets and showers and medical room.
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Sportsground facility.
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Outdoor areas / viewing spaces in front of Pavilion.
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Entry and Exit areas to the Club facilities.
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Property storage rooms and scoreboard facility.
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Cigarettes / eCigarettes will not be sold (including vending machines) at any time at or by the club.
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Nearby public playground areas.
4. Players, Officials and Coaches
Coaches, players, trainers, volunteers, and officials will refrain from smoking / vaping and remain smoke-free while involved in an official capacity for the club, on and off the field.
5. Functions
Invitations and advertising for all Club functions, meetings and events will be promoted as smoke/vape-free.
All club functions including social and fundraising events and meetings are to be completely smoke and vape-free:
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No ashtrays or other smoking-related paraphernalia will be provided by the Club.
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Cigarette butt bins will be provided at outdoor locations for smokers to dispose of cigarette butts before
entering/re-entering smoke-vape-free areas at club facilities.
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Smokers and Vapers leaving the designated licensed area of the club’s social rooms will not be permitted to take alcohol from that area.
All club functions held away from the club facilities are to be completely smoke/vape-free and shall require an assurance from the venue management of compliance with the club policy before a booking is confirmed by:
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Removing all ashtrays from venue where function is to be held.
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Enforcing a smoke/vape- free policy during the function.
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Not selling cigarettes or eCigarettes (including vending machines) at any time during the function.
6. Non-Compliance
All club committee members will enforce the smoke and vape-free policy and any non-compliance will be handled according to the following process:
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Explanation of the club policy to the person/people concerned, including identification of the areas in which smoking / vaping is permitted.
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Continued non-compliance with the policy should be handled by at least two committee members who will use their discretion as to the action taken, which may include asking the person/ people to leave the club facilities or function.
7. Policy Promotion
The club will promote the smoke and vape-free policy regularly by:
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Displaying a copy of the policy in the club social rooms.
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Periodic announcements to members at functions.
Placing a copy of the policy in:
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Club newsletters, notice boards, website and printed member/player information.
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The club recognises the importance of educating club members, particularly players, of the benefits of implementing a smoke and vape-free policy and will endeavour to provide information to assist this process.
The club will actively participate in the Australian Drug Foundation’s Good Sports program with an ongoing priority to achieve Level 3 accreditation.
8. Policy Review
This policy will be reviewed annually to ensure it remains relevant to club operations and reflects both community expectations and legal requirements.