Smoke free POLICY for elphin, Roscommon and ballymoe karate clubs.

The Karate Clubs recognises that passive smoking is hazardous to health and those non-smoking club members and visitors have the right to be protected from exposure to tobacco smoke.

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, parents and club visitors.

Facilities

All club facilities are to be completely smoke free and shall include:

• The social rooms inclusive of kitchen, meeting room, toilets and storage area

• Participants changing rooms inclusive of Dojo, warm up area, toilets and showers.

1. Cigarettes will not be sold (including vending machines) at any time at or by the club

Players, Officials & Coaches

Instructors, Coaches, participants, parents, volunteers and officials will refrain from smoking and remain smoke free while involved in an official capacity for the club.

Functions

All club functions including social and fund raising events and meetings are to be completely smoke free:

• Ashtrays will be removed from all club facilities.

• Cigarette butt bins will be provided at outdoor locations for smokers to dispose of cigarette butts before entering/re-entering smoke free areas at club facilities

All club functions held away from the club facilities are to be completely smoke free and shall require an assurance from the venue management of compliance with the club policy before a booking is confirmed by:

• Removing all ashtrays from venue where function is to be held

• Enforcing a smoke free policy during the function

• Not selling cigarettes (including vending machines) at any time during the function

Invitations and advertising for all functions, meetings and events will be promoted as smoke free.

Non-compliance

All club committee members will enforce the smoke free policy and any non-compliance will be handled according to the following process:

• Explanation of the club policy to the person/people concerned, including identification of the areas in which smoking is permitted

• 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

Policy Promotion

The club will promote the smoke free policy regularly by:

• Publishing a copy of the policy in club newsletters, notice boards and printed participant’s information.

• Displaying a copy of the policy in the club social rooms.

• Periodic announcements to members at functions

The club recognises the importance of educating club members of the benefits of implementing a smoke free policy, and will endeavour to provide information to assist this process.

Policy Review

To ensure this policy remains relevant to club operations and reflects community expectations the policy will be reviewed annually.

Signed: Patricia Duarte

Position: Clubs Secretary/Instructor

Date: 1st June 2010

Co. Signed: Thomas McKeon Club Instructor

Thomas Hewitt Club Instructor