Play, Live, Be Tobacco Free

NEWMARKET – The Regional Municipality of York Community and Health Services Department encourages local youth sport and recreation organizations to promote tobacco-free sports and recreation by participating in the province-wide Play, Live, Be Tobacco-Free Program.

 

Tobacco-free sport and recreation means that participants, spectators, coaches and leaders do not smoke, snuff, dip or chew tobacco while engaged in the activities of the organization.  This commitment sets a good example for youth to help prevent them from starting to use tobacco, maintain their overall health and protect everyone involved in team activities from the harm of second-hand smoke.

 

Cigarettes and other tobacco products counteract the health benefits gained by participating in sport and recreation activities.  Exposure to second-hand smoke also puts one’s health at risk since there is no safe level of exposure to second-hand smoke.  Participation in sport and recreation activities not only benefits one’s physical health, it also contributes to psychological health through feelings of accomplishment and a sense of belonging that comes from being part of a team or club.

 

York Region Community and Health Services provides consultation, education, resources and sample policies to assist youth organizations aiming to create tobacco-free policy.

 

Not-for-profit organizations may apply for grants – a minimum of $500 - to assist them in creating a tobacco-free policy.  The deadline to apply for these grants is noon on September 30, 2010.  Grant funding is provided by the Ministry of Health Promotion Healthy Communities Fund through SPORT4ONTARIO.

 

For complete details on the Play, Live, Be Tobacco-Free…Ontario Grant Program, including the grant guidelines and application form, please visit www.playlivebetobaccofree.ca

 

For more information on The Regional Municipality of York, please visit www.york.ca

 

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Media Contact: Jennifer Mitchell-Emmerson, Community and Health Services, York Region
Phone: 905 830-4444 Ext. 4016 or After-hours Cell: 905 716-9753
Email: jennifer.mitchellemmerson@york.ca