Smoke & Vape Free Signage at Park Ratheniska GAA Club in Laois.
GAA Community and Health and the Department of Health is delighted to announce the return of the Smoke and Vape Free Clubs initiative for 2024, thanks to generous funding from Healthy Ireland and the Tomar Trust.
The initiative provides outdoor and pitch-side signage designed to inform patrons that a club executive has implemented a Smoke and Vape Free policy for their club grounds. Since its introduction in 2017 over 350 clubs and 9 County Grounds (or Centres of Excellences) have adopted the policy.
The funding from Healthy Ireland (covering clubs in the Republic of Ireland) and the Tomar Trust (covering clubs in the North) will allow for the provision of signage to approximately 90 grounds. Clubs participating in the Irish Life GAA Healthy Clubs programme will be prioritised however the wider club network is also encouraged to apply (and will be considered if the funding pot available allows.) Clubs who received signage prior to 2021, which does not include vaping can also apply to update signage (however this is available on a limited basis).
County grounds are also encouraged to apply through their respective County Health & Wellbeing Committees. Cavan GAA adopted the policy back in 2019 after agreement with the County Board. Chairperson of the Cavan Health and Wellbeing committee, Tony Ryan outlines that Kingspan Breffni Park is now a smoke free zone and Cavan GAA want to be proactive in creating a smoke free zone for all patrons. “It’s important from a county perspective viewpoint that we send out the message that smoking is unhealthy for people and making Kingspan Breffni a smoke free zone in some way will spread this message, especially when children are a large part of our visitors to Kingspan Breffni Park”.
This policy aims to:
- protect the health of club members, visitors, and the wider community by minimising their exposure all tobacco related harm, including second-hand smoke
- encourage people who smoke to consider quitting (while signposting to support services)
- reduce the initiation of smoking/vaping among young people
- minimise tobacco and electronic cigarette related litter
In a recent social return on investment evaluation environmental changes such as smoke and vape free policies have beneficial impacts on clubs and society. Across the Irish Life GAA Healthy Clubs programme health and wellbeing benefits worth €50 million are being delivered to society.
“Uachtarán CLG Jarlath Burns said: “I want to thank the 350 GAA Clubs and the GAA County Grounds and Centre of Excellence who have shown great leadership in making their venues fully tobacco and vape free environments. From curbing litter to tackling the physical harm caused by smoking and vaping the benefits are many and obvious and I’d encourage all of our clubs and venues to follow their example.”
Minister for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy, Colm Burke, T.D., said:
“Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable deaths in Ireland. Creating smoke-free environments, with particular emphasis on the protection of children and the denormalization of smoking, is a key priority in our road map to achieving a Tobacco Free Ireland.
“The GAA is uniquely placed to promote health and wellbeing in communities all over Ireland and I am delighted that so many clubs have already adopted a smoke and vape-free policy that supports people in making healthier choices.
“I encourage more clubs to get involved, and I’m delighted that my Department is continuing its support of this important initiative through Healthy Ireland with the aim of achieving a healthier future for us all.”
Tyrone's Health & Wellbeing Committee, along with Smoking Cessation Nurse Specialists from the Western Health & Social Care Trust will be promoting smoking cessation at the Tyrone V Clare All-Ireland Football Group Stages game in O'Neills Healy Park in Omagh on Sunday 2nd June. Tyrone HWC Chairperson Joe Neill said, "as Tyrone's first home game in the 2024 Championship we, as a committee, are delighted to raise awareness of the dangers of smoking and vaping, and to link people with the free cessation services available from their local health trust. We look forward to working with our GAA clubs in supporting more of them to become smoke and vape free."
How to get involved:
- Step 1: Review and download the GAA Smoke & Vape free policy, step by step guide and presentation via gaa.ie/smokefreeclubs
- Step 2: Discuss with your Club or County Executive. The decision to become a smoke & vape free club must be discussed and agreed at management level. Before you sign up, please ensure you have their commitment
- Step 3: Sign up HERE before June 28th (the form may close in advance if the quota is met and applying does not guarantee your application will be successful as funding is limited for 2024)
- Successful club and Counties must adopt the Smoke & Vape free policy and erect signge before 31 Dec 2024 and will be required to upload pictures on social media tagging our funding partners (info will be provided).
For further information, please contact community.health@gaa.ie
Anyone who is thinking about quitting can get free support from the HSE Quit Team at 1800 201 203 or https://www2.hse.ie/quit-smoking or Stop Smoking NI in the six counties https://www.stopsmokingni.info