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The Journey Towards Smoke Free. Smoke Free School Grounds. Tanya Barnes Matthews . Living Healthy Schools Conference September 2007. The Journey Towards Smoke Free. Tobacco Reduction Strategy Alliance for the Control of Tobacco A Dozen Reasons Why The First Year The Journey Continues
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The Journey Towards Smoke Free Smoke Free School Grounds Tanya Barnes Matthews Living Healthy Schools Conference September 2007
The Journey Towards Smoke Free • Tobacco Reduction Strategy • Alliance for the Control of Tobacco • A Dozen Reasons Why • The First Year • The Journey Continues • The Road Ahead!
Provincial Tobacco Reduction Strategy • Tobacco is the leading cause of death & disability • Meant to provide direction for government and non-government health organizations and partners for comprehensive tobacco reduction initiatives for 2005-2008
The Newfoundland & Labrador Alliance for the Control of Tobacco • Four main goals: • Prevention – preventing people from starting to smoke • Protection – Protecting people from the harmful effects of SHS • Cessation –helping smokers quit smoking and remain smoke free • Denormalization – positioning smoking so that it is no longer the norm in society
A Dozen Good Reasons… • Tobacco kills • Tobacco is a drug • Tobacco is addictive • Second hand smoke kills
These too… • Opportunity knocks! • Gateway drug • Conflicting messages • Perception of social acceptance
And don’t forget these… • Reality check – Smoke free work • Laws prohibit youth purchasing • Liability issues • It’s the right thing to do!
A journey of a thousand steps… • September 2006 all 5 school regions voluntarily adopted a smoke free school grounds policy • Much work and advocacy had been invested in creating a climate that was ready for this step • TROY 2006 • Healthy Students Healthy Schools Summit 2006 • Smoke-free Activist Tool-kit Pilot 2005
799 steps left to go… • Informing the public was an important component of the implementation • Alliance for the Control Of Tobacco (ACT) took a lead role in a promotional campaign announcing and supporting smoke free school grounds • Radio & Newspaper ads
Going a little further • A survey was conducted in the fall with school administrators: • They needed support to communicate the message to their students, parents and general public • ACT responded: • “Welcome to our Tobacco Free School” banners were supplied to all schools, printed in English & French.
Media blitz • ACT coordinated a mass media campaign to keep the focus on youth and to keep messages consistent (December - March) • Be Free – Smoke Free • Television & Print ads
Stepping up to the front line • Resources to support being 100% smoke free within schools: • Smoke Free Schoolyards Initiatives CD (Jr. & Sr. High) • Prevention education resources • Grades 7 – 9 Smoke Free Activist Tool Kit • Grades 4 – 6 Science, Tobacco & You • Grades K – 3 Smoke Free Colouring Book
Walking in their shoes… • Cessation Support for students: • Kick the Nic • Smoker’s Helpline introduces Schools’ CARE Program
How it Works • Ask if the student smokes • Advise that they should quit and receive support • Refer them to the Newfoundland and Labrador SHL • Completereferral form online at www.smokershelp.net – available Nov 1, 2006 • Email Hit send! – SHL will email the student to set up counseling and referral to other cessation services.
Check Point – End of year 1 • A second survey of principals revealed: • Smoking students moved to edge of property • Still in full view of school • School still has a smoking problem • Parents & visitors not always adhering to policy • After – school users not always compliant
The Journey Continues - 2007 • ACT’s Support Plan • Outdoor signage for all schools • Brochure to target smoking teens • Tips on how to increase compliance of parents & visitors • Dept. of Health & Community Services • Roundtable on Youth Cessation (Research, Policy & Practice) • Health Canada Proposal • Develop School Cessation Protocols (Range of Interventions)
SMOKE FREE GROUNDS
The Road Ahead… Continued vigilance Cessation support Prevention Denormalization
Next steps: • Smoke free sport/recreation areas • NS already there! • POS advertising • Smoke free entrances at post-secondary institutions (MUN) • Smoke free hospital grounds
365 steps to go… • Tobacco control is a community concern – there’s a role for everyone to play • We’re happy to be working with schools to make Newfoundland and Labrador a healthier province.
We, as parents, and society do not want our children exposed to asbestos, mould or lead, so why are smoking and second hand smoke any different?
Your Story… • What has been your school’s experience with implementing the smoke free grounds policy? • How has the community responded to smoke free school grounds? • What additional support or resources would you like to have available? • Other comments or questions….