With World No Tobacco Day just around the corner, we thought it would be worth sharing some resources to help anyone who is currently trying to quit smoking, and some reminders of why smoking and sport don’t mix.
1. Smoking negatively affects your endurance and fitness levels
A smoker's lungs work less efficiently and can't absorb the right amount of oxygen their body needs to function during exercise. People who smoke tend to have less endurance and find it hard to keep up high levels of fitness, and this doesn’t always become apparent until smoking habits have been changed for the better.
2. Environmental or second-hand tobacco smoke is a serious health hazard
A smoke-free environment is the best way we can provide effective protection from second-hand smoke for our members, players, guests, and volunteers. While a smoker may think they are lighting up a cigarette an appropriate distance from the sports field, they may not realise how far the smoke can waft onto the field, and how it can affect players during a game. As we have a number of underage players on our senior teams, as well as non-smokers and people with health conditions like asthma, it’s very important that our club remains a smoke-free area.
3. By having a smoke-free club, litter and fire risks are reduced
With reduced litter, there is a reduced fire risk, and children or teens are less likely to pick up discarded butts. Kelvedon Park is well known for its picturesque, natural surroundings, with the clubrooms being encompassed by the beach and bushland. Keeping our club smoke-free helps keep our environment and the community much safer.
4. Role modelling healthy behaviours can positively influence younger players
Making smoking less visible and acceptable by modelling responsible behaviour benefits the whole community. This can directly contribute to a reduced uptake of smoking among young people. As stated in our Good Sports Tobacco Policy: “Many young people hold parents, teammates and coaches in high esteem and smoking around them sends the message that smoking is okay. Therefore we expect that coaches, players, officials and volunteers will refrain from smoking while involved in an official capacity for the club, on and off the field. To foster our club’s reputation as a healthy environment, no images of club volunteers, members, officials, coaches and players smoking at club-related
activities will be placed on social media.”
If you're currently a smoker, why not commit to Quit on March 31st?
Quitting smoking can be one of the most difficult, yet rewarding, things a person can do. For more information on how to quit smoking, click here. 95% of young Tasmanians already don’t smoke, click here to see how you can help to make sure the future is smoke free.
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