The Montrose Football Club recognises that exposure of non-smokers to environmental tobacco smoke (passive smoking) is hazardous to health and that non- smokers should be protected. Passive smoking can lead to serious illnesses in adults such as bronchitis, lung cancer, and cardiovascular disease. Children can also develop chest illnesses and asthma from exposure to tobacco smoke.

The move to go SmokeFree also complements the Montrose Football Club’s desire to create a healthy family and community friendly environment. The Montrose Football Club believes that such an environment and image will be advantageous in attracting new members as well as positively promoting the club in the community. Legislation and the legal duty of care also provide clear reasons to have a SmokeFree club. Under common law the Montrose Football Club has a legal duty of care to ensure that employees, volunteers, members, players and officials are not exposed to potentially harmful situations. The Occupational Health and Safety Act stipulates that employees and working volunteers must have a safe environment to work in.

Who is affected by the Policy?

This policy applies to all members, administrators, officials, coaches, players, visitors and volunteers of the Montrose Football Club.

Designated SmokeFree Areas

The Montrose Football Club requires the following areas to be SmokeFree:

  • club and social rooms administration and office areas
  • changing rooms
  • toilet blocks
  • indoor spectator viewing areas
  • playing areas / training areas & childrens play equipment
  • eating areas
  • grandstands and spectator viewing areas (standing and seated, covered & uncovered)
  • near open windows (ten metre radius around open windows)
  • near entries and exits of buildings, facilities, and the ground (ten metre radius).

Behavioural Expectations

The Montrose Football Club recognises that role modelling can have a significant impact upon the members of the club. Hence, the following individuals and groups are to refrain from smoking while they are acting in an official capacity for the club or while in club uniform:

  • coaches (when coaching, representing the club or while in club uniform)
  • trainers (when training players or while in club uniform)
  • officials (when officiating for the club or while in club uniform)
  • volunteers (when working for the club or while in club uniform)
  • players (when representing the club or while in club uniform).

Coaches and trainers will also speak to players about the effects of smoking on performance and health.

Breaches of compliance

The following five-step non-compliance strategy will be followed if anyone breaches the Montrose Football Club’s SmokeFree policy.

  • Assume that the person is unaware of the SmokeFree policy.
  • A staff member or club representative will approach the person breaching the policy and politely ask them to refrain from smoking and remind them about the SmokeFree policy.
  • If the offence continues, then the most senior committee member or most senior club representative will verbally warn them again and hand over a formally written letter. The offending patron must also be made aware that if they don’t stop smoking then they will be required to leave the club’s facility. The letter will outline the Montrose Football Club’s policy on smoking and state that if the patron continues to breach the policy then he/she will be asked to leave. The club’s management committee will sign the letter. This letter will be pre-written and kept both behind the bar and in the club secretary’s office so that copies are readily available.
  • If the offence does continue, then the patron will be escorted out of the facility by committee and/or a senior club representative.

Under no circumstances should the Montrose Football Club’s SmokeFree policy be breached.

Sale of Tobacco Products

The Montrose Football Club will refrain from selling tobacco products.

Policy Review

This Policy will be reviewed annually to ensure it remains relevant, practical and that it reflects community expectations and legal requirements. The Policy will be reviewed in the first instance by October 2020; and thereafter annually.