The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutTabacco-Free Policy RequestT T. As students in the community, we are asking the City of Mounds View to adopt a tobacco -free policy for the City's parks, recreational and forestry areas and facilities. City of Mound View Parks, Recreation and. Forestry Subject: Prohibition of tobacco use in the City of Mound View's park system. Purpose: To create a safe environment for community members who use Mound View Parks, Recreation and Forestry facilities. Policy Statement: The city of Mound View prohibits the use of any tobacco product on all City -owned park land, park facilities, and open spaces, including picnic grounds, walkingibiking paths, and restrooms areas. The park areas prohibiting tobacco use would include the following: Silver View Park City Hall Park Groveland Park Hillview Park Greenfield Park Woodcrest Park Oakwood Park Lakeside Park Random Park Lambert Park Mounds View Community Center Implementation: Enforcing the Tobacco -Free Park Policy in Mounds View will be through voluntary compliance. 1. TFYR (Tobacco Free Youth Recreation) will provide 100 12" x 10" metal blue and white metal signs to be posted at all City -owned parks, recreation facilities, and open spaces. Posted signs will remind community members of the Tobacco -Free Park Policy. 2. Athletic associations that utilize City -owned facilities must commit to enforcing this policy. 3. Mounds View Students, community members and/or City staff will make periodic observations of recreation facilities and parkland to monitor for compliance. 4. A community awareness program will be implemented to assist in the education and enforcement of this policy. Effective date: This policy statement is effective immediately upon the date of adoption. Tobacco -Free Policies fav Parks, Playgrounds and Athletic Facilities wwma?" marg 1711.4 fz PROVIDING TOBACCO -FREE RECREATION FOR YOUR COMMUNITY IN Tobacco -Free Policies For Recreation Facilities areas promote • Parks are established to promote healthy activities. The purpose of park areas is to promote community wellness, and tobacco -free policies fit with this idea. • Secondhand smoke harms everyone. Secondhand smoke is a human carcinogen for which there is no safe level of exposure. Exposure to secondhand smoke has immediate health consequenses such as asthma attacks and other res- piratory diseases. • Secondhand smoke is harmful in outdoor settings. Ac- cording to Repace Associates, secondhand smoke levels in outdoor public places can reach levels as high as those found in indoor facilities where smoking is permitted. • Cigarette litter is dangerous. Discarded cigarettes pol- lute the land and water and may be ingested by toddlers, pets, birds or fish. • Tobacco free policies help change community norms. Tobacco -free policies establish the community norm that tobacco use is not an acceptable behavior for young people or adults within the entire community. Why are Minnesota cities adopting tobacco -free park policies? ® Most Minnesotans support tobacco free park and rec- reation policies. A 2004 University of Minnesota survey found that 70% of Minnesota residents support tobacco -free park and recreation areas. In addition, 66% of golfers and 73% of families with children support these policies. • Policies provide consistency among community athletic facilities and groups. The majority of community sporting events are held at either city or school district athletic facili- ties, and nearly all school districts prohibit tobacco use on their entire grounds. Also, many community athletic associa- tions have policies but use city recreation facilities and would benefit from a city-wide policy. Policies reduce litter and maintenance costs. In a 2004 survey, 58% of Minnesota park directors in cities with poli- cies reported cleaner park areas. Tobacco free environments promote positive community role modeling and protect the health, safety, and welfare of community members. for Nonsmokers --Minnesota rsity Ave. West, # 310 N 55114-1512 :005; tfyr@ansrmn.org The Tobacco -Free Youth Recreation Initiative Tobacco -Free Youth Recreation (TFYR) is Minnesota's statewide recreation -based tobacco prevention program that assists recreational groups in promoting healthy tobacco -free lifestyles. TFYR offers assistance in tobacco -free policy development and implementation and also distributes materials that promote the tobacco -free sports message throughout Minnesota. signsPolicy adoption assistance & FREE . b - through TFYR offers municipal park & recreation departments techni- cal assistance in tobacco -free policy development. To help with policy implementation, TFYR provides 12" x 18" metal blue & white tobacco -free signs for FREE to Minnesota cities that adopt comprehensive tobacco -free policies for their outdoorrecreational facilities (limit 100 per community). To qualify for the signs, the tobacco -free policy4 • Eden Prairie must include: ��<t.0•FAfplo � y • Alexandria • A list of all the facilities it covers. � . • A statement that all forms of tobacco use lbbUse is • are prohibited. • NwdYngAmerica • An enforcement plan that includes ..aeco On s YarkPirop..�.. Elk River a) community and staff notification; and Owatonna • Anoka County Tobacco -Free Signs b) signage. Contact TFYR staff (see below left) for policy adoption assistance. Once a policy has been adopted in your community, send a copy of the policy and a completed sign order form to TFYR. Download an order form from our web site at <www. ansrmn. org>. Minnesota Cities with Tobacco -Free Outdoor Recreational Facilities • Altkin • Eden Prairie • New Brighton • Alexandria • Edina . New York Mills • Andover • Elbow Lake • NwdYngAmerica • Anoka • Elk River • Owatonna • Anoka County • Ellsworth • Parkers Prairie • Arden Hills • Eveleth • Pelican Rapids • Aurora • Faribault . Plymouth • Austin • Fayal Township • Prinsburg • Battle Lake • Fergus Falls . Ramsey • Baxter • Golden Valley • Richfield • Biwabik • Grand Rapids • Robbinsdale • Bloomington • Henning • Rochester • Brainerd • Hemmntown . Rock County • Breckenridge • Hibbing • Roseville • Brooklyn Center • Hoyt Lakes • Sarteil • Buhl • Int'I Falls • Savage • Callaway • Kent • Shoreview • Champlin • La Prairie • Spicer • Cloquet • Luverne • St. Cloud • Cohasset • Mahtomedl • St. Paul • Coon Rapids • Maple Grove • Virginia • Crookston • Maplewood Y Wheaton • Dassel • Marshall • Williams • Dayton • Mendota Heights • Willmar • Donnelly • Monticello • Wolverton • Duluth • Morris • Zimmerman • Eagan • Mountain Iron 0 Eagle Lake Apr. 2006 Tobacco—Free Recreationar Facilities Imn Minnesota (Park Policies & City Ordinances" 4 t�. A. GREATEN, RUMSOTA (54) Aitlon 1 Cloquet 6 Alexandria 63 Cohasset 11 Aurora 2 Crookston 13 Austin 3 IDassel 72 Battle Lake 64 Donnelly 73 Baxter 4 Duluth 14 Blwabik 5 Eagle Lake 16 Brainerd 7 Elbow Lake 71 Breckenridge 8 Elk River 60 Buhl 9 Ellsworth 70 Callaway 61 Eveleth 18 April 2006 t t �6 Faribault 19 Fayal Township 20 Fergus Falls 10 Grand Rapids 22 Henning 62 Hermantown 69 Hibbing 23 Hoyt Lakes 24 International Falls 25 Sent 26 La Prairie 65 Luverne 27 AEnoka, Mahtomedl Andover Maple Grove Arden lolls Maplewood Bloomington Mendota Heights Brooklyn Center New Brighton Champlin Plymouth Coons Rapids Ramsey Dayton Richfield Eagan Robbinsdale Eden Prairie Roseville Edina Saint Paul Golden Valley Savage Shoreview Marshall 30 Monticello 31 Morris 32 Mountain Iron 33 New York Mills 67 Norwood Young America 35 Owatonna 36 Parkers Prairie 66 Pelican. Rapids 12 Prinsburg 38 Rochester 41 W"1111501731. 5 1. hock County 2. Anoka County St. Cloud 43 Sartell 45 Spicer 48 Virginia 49 Wheaton 68 William 74 Willmar 50 Wolverton 59 Zimmerman 51 0 0< ress::0 .este a�� ence�ao�c T -OB, co .:'a Frequently Asked Questions :10out Tobacco -Free Policies for Park Areas in Minnesot-! What is current Minnesota state law on smoking outdoors? There is currently no state law that regulates tobacco use in outdoor areas. Are local governments able to enact policies restricting tobacco use? Neither federal nor state law prohibits local governments from regulating tobacco use outdoors.' What is the difference between a park policy and an ordinance? In general, park policies are rules regarding city -owned park property that are established by the city park board and are often approved by the city council. Generally, those who ignore park policies do not receive a fine, but are asked to refrain from using tobacco or leave the premises. City ordinances are city council enactments that regulate people or property and carry a penalty such as a fine for violations. Ordinances often originate from a recommendation passed by the city park board.2 For both park policies and city ordinances, tobacco use is prohibited on city park property. Should a policy cover all property and activities or just youth events? In Minnesota, both types of policies exist, but the recent trend is toward "all property" policies because they may be simpler for citizens to understand, rather than to determine which activities qualify as "youth events." How do other Minnesota cities and townships enforce their policies? Minnesota cities and townships with tobacco -free park policies post signs in their park areas that announce the policy. These signs provide cities with the ability to rely on community and self -enforcement. Many tobacco users look for "no tobacco" signs. These signs empower everyone using the parks to provide friendly reminders about the policy to violators. Signs also help to eliminate the need for any law enforcement presence. The majority of Minnesota cities with policies have received their signs free of charge from Tobacco -Free Youth Recreation. 1 Minnesota Attorney General Mike Hatch. (514100). Legal opinion letter to Peter Vogel, 2 League of Minnesota Cities. (2003). Handbookfor Minnesota Cities. [Online], Available: http://www,lmnc.org/handbook/chapter07.pdf. April 2005 In addition to signs, cities notify their community members in a variety of ways: local media, city newsletters, policy reminder cards, recreation program brochures, policy statements sent to sports associations, and coaches' trainings. Are existing policies working? Yes! According to a 2004 University of Minnesota survey of Minnesota park directors in cities with such policies, 88% of park directors reported no change in park usage (no loss of park users), 71% reported less smoking in parks, and 58% reported cleaner park areas. What effect do tobacco -free park policies have on youth? Research has not been completed on this particular topic, but in general, tobacco -free policies help prevent youth tobacco use, particularly by providing adults the opportunity to be tobacco -free role models throughout the community.3 What other benefits result from tobacco - free policies? Cigarette filters are not biodegradable, so they do not decay and cannot be absorbed by the environment. A policy reduces park and beach litter and protects toddlers from ingesting filters that are discarded. In Minnesota, smoking-related debris accounted for 52% of total debris during a 2003 coastal clean Up.4 Will policies keep some people from using city parks? Tobacco -free policies for public park areas ensure that all citizens have a healthy recreational environment. People go to parks to exercise or relax, not to use tobacco. Smokers work, shop, travel, and reside in smoke-free environments every day. No court has determined that smoking is a constitutionally protected right.5 Aren't tobacco -free policies for parks a needless regulation? These policies are similar to those prohibiting alcohol and litter or requiring that pets be leashed. It is the duty of policy makers to enact policies that protect the health of their citizens. 3 Perry, C. (1999). Creating Health Behavior Change: How to Develop Community -Wide Programs for Youth. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications. ' The Ocean Conservancy. (2004). International Coastal Cleanup 2003 Minnesota Summary Report. [Online]. Available: http://www.coastalcleanup.org. 5 Tobacco Control Legal Consortium. (2004). "Legal Authority to Regulate Smoking and Common Legal Threats and Challenges." Divi 130 Summary of Findings T T Park areas in Minnesota are used regularly by state residents. Tobacco use restrictions in outdoor environments such as parks and recreation areas are being established in Minnesota and other states across the U.S. The purpose of this study is to describe the support for tobacco -free park policies in Minnesota. To learn more about the public's perceptions of these policies, we conducted a survey of Minnesota residents. We also interviewed park and recreation professionals to ask specific questions about tobacco -free policies in Minnesota. Is secondhand smoke a problem? Yes. Secondhand smoke is a recognized cause of acute and chronic diseases in nonsmokers, and is a major source of indoor air pollution. Secondhand smoke is also responsible for an estimated 3,000 lung cancer deaths and 38,000 heart disease deaths in nonsmoking individuals each year in the United States. The most effective approach to reducing secondhand smoke exposure is to establish smoke-free environments. Research has suggested that the adoption of smoke-free policies creates a change in social norms around smoking, helps smokers reduce consumption or quit, and helps keep youth from starting. Public support for tobacco -free parks A survey was sent to Minnesota residents by mail in summer 2004. Of the 1,500 respondents, 75% had used any park area in the past month. Overall, 70% of those surveyed supported tobacco -free policies for outdoor park and recreation areas. The attitude of Twin Cities metro area residents was not different from residents living in other parts of the state. Respondents expressed support for tobacco -free policies to: • Reduce litter in park grounds. • Avoid the health effects of secondhand smoke. • Discourage youth smoking. • Establish positive role models for youth. • Promote community well-being. Po/icy components We also asked residents about the components of tobacco -free park policies (shown, right). Most people supported strong policies that prohibit tobacco use in youth areas, and asking policy violators to leave park areas. Just over half (53%) of respondents supported the prohibition of tobacco use in all parks at all times. Smokers were the only group generally less supportive of these policies. Preferences for tobacco -free park policies among Minnesota residents, 2004 Prohibit all forms of tobacco Prohibit tobacco in all 53°/ outdoor areas Prohibit tobacco during youth oriented events Prohibit tobacco in outdoor areas used by youth Enforce policy by asking violators to leave Enforce policy by giving violators a fine 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 0% Go/fern Thirty-five percent of our sample were golfers. Most golfers (81 %) were non-smokers, and 74% of non- smoking golfers supported tobacco -free park policies. We found that being a golfer did not make a difference in support for tobacco -free policies, but being a smoker did. 64 Go/fern Thirty-five percent of our sample were golfers. Most golfers (81 %) were non-smokers, and 74% of non- smoking golfers supported tobacco -free park policies. We found that being a golfer did not make a difference in support for tobacco -free policies, but being a smoker did. How do park staff in communities with an existing park policy feel about the policy? In the summer of 2004, we interviewed 257 park directors from cities and counties in Minnesota's 200 largest cities. Overall, 70 communities reported a tobacco -free policy, which represents 36% of Communities surveyed. Park directors with policies had positive experiences, as most reported that park policies were "not difficult" to pass, and 90% would recommend such a policy to other communities. Changes after implementation When park directors were asked about changes after tobacco -free policy adoptions: 0 58% reported less litter in park areas. 0 74% reported no problems with policy violators. 0 88% reported no changes in park usage. 0 For those reporting a change in park use following the policy, 71 % reported an increase in usage. 0 Publicity about the policy was reported to be adequate (86%), and few (7%) reported any negative publicity. Difficulty in passing a tobacco -free park policy, Minnesota 2004 Enforcement Enforcement was an area of worry for nearly all park directors without a policy. However, in communities with a policy, few park directors (26%) reported compliance problems. Staffing was an issue, as 74% reported too few staff to enforce the policy and/or monitor all park areas. Park director support Out of the 257 park directors interviewed, nearly all personally supported tobacco -free policies. Reasons for their support included: 0 96% wanted to establish positive role models for youth. 89% wanted to promote community well-being. 92% wanted to reduce youth opportunity to smoke. 92% wanted to avoid litter from cigarette butts. Major Conclusions: Ej The majority of Minnesotans support tobacco -free park and recreation policies. o Park staff have experienced few problems and many benefits with the policies, and overwhelmingly recommend tobacco -free policies to other communities. This study was conducted by the University of Minnesota, Schools of Public Health and Kinesiology, in partnership with Tobacco -Free Youth Recreation and the Minnesota Recreation and Park Association, and supported by the Minnesota Partnership for Action Against Tobacco. For more information, contact study coordinator Liz Klein at klein L@epi.umn.edu or call (612) 626-1799. ,to'!CA50TA RECRE4 V A00S 14r,110 S AV 0y, MYOUTH aff(MMIRIOR w"ta mn r,,nsr ! org Derember 2005 Cityed Outdoor Recreational Facilities Model Tobacco -Free WHEREAS, the City believes that tobacco use inUle' ofchildren and aduKoengaging inor xvotchingoutdoor recnyat�no|oc��asatCkv-Vxvned�oroperated facilities iadetrimental totheir health and can be offensive to those using such facilities; and WHEREAS, the City has aunique opportunity10create and sustain anenvironment that supports o non -tobacco norm through a tobacco -free policy, rule enforcement, and adult -peer role modeling on City -owned outdoor recreational facilities; and WHEREAS, the City believes parents, leaders, and officials involved inrecreation are role models for youth and can have apositive effect onthe lifestylechoices they make; and WHEREAS, the tobacco industry advertises at and sponsors recreational events to foster connection between tobacco use and recreation; and VVHEREAG, cigarettes, once consumed inpublic spaces, are often discarded onthe ground requiring additional maintenance expenses, diminish the beauty of the City's recreational facilities, and pose a risk to toddlers due to ingestion; and WHEREAS, the City Park & Recreation Board determines that the prohibition of tobacco use at the City's recreational facilities serves to protect the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of our City. Section 1: Tobacco use prohibited imoutdoor recreational facilities No person shall use any form of tobacco at or on any City -owned or operated outdoor recreational facilities, including the naatroons.spectator and concession areas. These facilities include O� no� specific faci|�ioahere, e.g.playgrounds, athletic fields, beaches, oquot�areas, parks, and ^ walking/hiking trails]. Section 2: Enforcement 1. Appropriate signsohoUbe posted inthe above specified areas. 2. The community, especially facility users and staff, will benotified about this policy. 8. Staff will make periodic observations of recreational facilities to monitor for compliance. 4. Any person found violating this policy may besubject toimnlediatehonmthe n*crea1�n facility �rd��moindor��ee�nL ' Section 3: Effective Date This policy statement ineffective immediately upon the date ofadoption. Appropriate City Official City of New Brighton Parks & Recreation Department New Brighton, MN EM Subject: Prohibition of tobacco product use in the City of New Brighton's park system. Purpose: In order to protect the health and welfare of our citizens and park visitors, the New Brighton Parks & Recreation Department prohibits the use of tobacco products on City -owned park land, park facilities, and open space. Policy: No person shall use tobacco products on City -owned park land, park facilities, and open space except according to the following exemptions. 1 At Brightwood Hills Golf Course except during exclusively youth activities. 2. At the Family Service Center's designated smoking areas. 3. At Neighborhood Center patios and picnic pavilions during private events. Implementation: The emphasis on enforcing the Tobacco -Free park policy is through voluntary compliance. 1 Signs shall be posted at all City -owned parks, recreation facilities, and open space. 2. City staff will make periodic observations of recreation facilities and park land to monitor for compliance. 3. A community education program will be implemented to assist in enforcing this policy. 4. Athletic associations that utilize City -owned facilities must commit to enforcing this policy during all scheduled activities. Adoption date: 5/27/03 City of Arden Hills, Minnesota Parks and recreation Tobacco -Free Parks Policy Policy Statement-, XFFI v V %,U UY . Arden Hills City Council September 12, 2005 The City of Arden Hills is committed to the quality of life for all residents of the city; therefore, we believe that: I. Tobacco product use in the proximity of children, youth and adults engaging in or watching recreational activities is unhealthy and detrimental to the health of others. 2. Tobacco products once consumed in public spaces are often discarded on the ground, posing a risk of ingestion to young children and animals and cause a litter problem requiring additional maintenance expense. 3. As parents, coaches, and leaders we are role models, and the use of tobacco products around youth has a negative effect on their lifestyle choices. 4. The prohibition of tobacco use at the City's recreational facilities serves to protect the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of Arden Hills. Tobacco -Free Park Policy: The Arden Hills City Council finds that the use of tobacco products in city recreational facilities, which include all city parks and trails, is detrimental to the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of Arden Hills. No person shall use tobacco products on city -owned parkland, park facilities, open space, or trails, except within the confines of a vehicle in a designated parking area or an adjacent public street. This policy will become effective immediately upon the date of adoption by the City Council Compliance Procedures: Emphasis on enforcing the Tobacco -Free Park Policy will be through voluntary compliance, and will include: 1. Appropriate city -owned parkland, park facilities, open space, and trails will be signed. 2. City staff will meet with activity organizations, group leaders and coaches to discuss the policy and to distribute flyers with the Tobacco -.Free Park Policy, as well as notify residence through the local media and the City newsletter. 3. City staff will make periodic observations of activity sites to monitor compliance. 4. Athletic associations and groups that utilize City -owned facilities must commit to enforcing this policy during all scheduled activities. City of Shoreview,Minnesota Parks and Recreation Department Tobacco -Free Park Policy Subject: Prohibition of tobacco product use in the City of Shoreview's park system. Purpose: In order to protect the health and welfare of our citizens and park visitors, the Shoreview Parks and Recreation Department prohibits the use of tobacco products on City - owned parkland, park facilities, and open space. Policy: No person shall use tobacco products on City -owned parkland, park facilities, and open space except according to the following exemptions. 1. At the Community Center's designated smoking areas. 2. At the outdoor areas of the Commons Park pavilion during private events. Implementation: The emphasis on enforcing the Tobacco -Free park policy is through voluntary compliance. 1. Signs shall be posted at all City -owned parks, recreation facilities, and open space. 2. City staff will make periodic observations of recreation facilities and parkland to monitor for compliance. 3. A community education program will be implemented to assist in enforcing this policy. 4. Athletic associations that utilize City -owned facilities must commit to enforcing this policy. Adoption date: May 3, 2004 SUB3EC Plymouths Parks and Recreation Tobacco -Free Policy POLICY STATEMENT The City of Plymouth Parks and Recreation Department is committed to the quality of life for all residents, therefore, we believe that: 1. Tobacco product use in the proximity of children, youth and adults engaging in or watching recreational activities is unhealthy and detrimental to the health of others. 2. Tobacco products once consumed in public spaces are often discarded on the ground, thus posing a risk of ingestion to toddlers and causing a litter problem. 3. As parents, leaders, coaches, and officials we are thought of as role, models, and the use of tobacco products around youth has a negative effect on their lifestyle choices. TOBACCO—FREE FACILITIES No person shall use tobacco products on city -owned parkland, park facilities, open space or joint city/school district properties, except within the confines of a vehicle in a designated parking area. COMPLIANCE PROCEDURES The emphasis on enforcing the Tobacco -Free park policy is through voluntary compliance: 1. Appropriate city -owned parkland, park facilities, open space or joint city/school district properties will be signed. 2. Plymouth Park and Recreation staff will meet with activity organizations and/or leaders or coaches to discuss the policy and to distribute flyers with the "Tobacco Free" regulations. 3. Plymouth Park and Recreation staff will make periodic observations of activity sites to monitor compliance. 4. Plymouth Park and Recreation will take an active role to encourage the surrounding communities to adopt the "Tobacco Free" policy, so that we may act as a united front to ensure the health and wellbeing of our community. 11 II. OF . '`` • TOBACCO=FREE PARKS POLICY Policy Number 2004-03 Adopted July 6, 2004 7 Introduction. The Caty of Anoka is committed to the quality of life for all residents; therefore, we believe that: 1. Tobacco product use in the proximity of children, youth, and adults engaging in or watching recreational activities is unhealthy and detrimental to the health of others. 2. Tobacco products, once consumed in public spaces, are often discarded on the ground; thus, posing a risk of ingestion by toddlers and causing a litter problem. 3. As parents, leaders, and officials, we are thought of as role models; and the use of tobacco products around youth has a negative effect on their lifestyle choices. Tobacco Free Facilities. The City of Anoka does not allow the use of tobacco products on Cit3,owned parkland, park facilities, playgrounds, athletic fields, or City/School District property where signs are posted. Compliance Procedures. I. The emphasis on enforcing the Tobacco -Free Park Policy is through voluntary compliance. 2. Appropriate City --owned parkland, park facilities, or joint City/School District properties will be signed. 3. Athletic associations that utilize Cit) -owned facilities will be asked to comply. 4. Staff will make periodic observations of recreational facilities to monitor for compliance. nn,11 c 1 � Y tn Pr"� �9 '� s '.rcz n jT �i � -F PON,` A well-publicized policy informs park users about the reasons why the policy has been adopted and helps enforce the policy by reducing violations. ill Post Signs _ Let CommunityMembers Know 10 About the Policy The most important way to In addition to posting signs, park and recreation staff has used a variety publicize your tobacco -free policy is of means to educate citizens about their tobacco free policies: by posting signs. ® Staff notification of the new policy and setting procedures for If you have not done .FQ�,r handling violations. Help Enforce Our Policy" handouts, p. 2. so already, contact Q Tobacco -Free Youth ant�oo um f, Bookmarks or small notification cards explaining the policy Recreation to order mak, distributed by park staff or community members to park ^-m metal tobacco -free signs. users. Sample cards from Luverne, MN and bookmarks from Anoka County, MN, pp. 3-5. The following locations are • Articles in a local or regional newspaper, as the result of a suggested places for posting your news release or reporters' coverage of city council meetings. tobacco -free signs: Draft news release, p. 6. • Fencing around playgrounds ' Park and recreation department and city newsletters. and fields Sample city newsletters from Shoreview, MN, and Ramsey, MN, p. 7. • Backstops • Recreation program brochures, catalogs, and announcements. • Picnic shelters Sample recreation program brochure from Richfield, MN, pp. 8-9. • Restrooms • Concession stands ® Rulebooks or policy statements that are distributed to sports • Parking lot entrances league administrators, coaches, officials, parents, and • Beach entrances participants. Sample notification letter, p. 10; Sample team schedule, p. 11. • Lifeguard stands e Other fact sheets or educational articles about tobacco and • Hiking trail entrances secondhand smoke distributed at coaches' meetings, in • Skating rink warming houses mailings, or through newsletters. Sample articles, pp. 12-14. • Postings on the recreation department's or city's website. Y Ask for Assistance! Vservice ' Public address announcements at recreation events, or public IN announcements on local radio stations or public access These groups will assist you in cable channels. Sample announcement, p. IS. publicizing your tobacco -free policy: co -Fre • Tobacco -Free Youth Recreation, • Kick-off celebration or community event with tobacco -free 651 05, ( ) tfyrc@ansrmn.org pledges, activities, etc. Potential dates for this event: April 3—Kick Butts Day; May 31—World No Tobacco Day; Thursday • Your local tobacco -free coalition prior to Thanksgiving—Great American Smoke Out. Sample pledges, p. 16; Sample community events, p. 17. • Your local public health agency Please note: computer artwork files are available from TFYR for the tobacco free sign image. sure e�xi�on Minnesota cities that adopt comprehensive tobacco -free policies for their recreational facilities and park property can order FREE metal 12" x 18" tobacco -free signs from TFYR to help with policy implementation. To qualify for the signs, the tobacco -free policy must include: ® A list of all the facilities it covers ® A statement that all forms of tobacco use are prohibited ® An enforcement plan that includes a) user and staff notification; and b) signage. Tobacco -Free Signs A maximum of 100 signs is allowed per community. Additional signs are available at cost. Contact TFYR for details. Please contact Tobacco -Free Youth Recreation to find out how a tobacco -free policy for outdoor recreational facilities can benefit your community. Fon technical assistance in policy development and suggestions for tobacco prevention strategy implementation, contact: Brittany McFadden, Program Director Tobacco -Free Youth Recreation 2395 University Ave. West, Suite 310 rg St. Paul, MN 55114-1512 (651) 646-3005; bhm ,ansrmn.org o Please contact the people listed below to find out how a tobacco -free policy for outdoor recreational facilities can benefit your community. For suggestions on feedback from communities who have implemented tobacco -free policies, contact: Plymouth Parks & Recreation Department Diane Evans, Supt. of Recreation 3400 Plymouth Blvd. Plymouth, MN 55447 (763) 509-5220; devans@ci.plymouth.mn.us Coon Rapids Parks & Recreation Department Bruce Thielen, Public Works Director 1831 —111 th Ave. NW Coon Rapids, MN 55433 (763) 767-6578; thielen@ci.coon-rapids.mn.us Morris Community Education Cindy Perkins, Director 600 Columbia Ave. Morris, MN 56267 (320) 589-4394; cperkins@maes.morris.k12.mn.us Grand Rapids Parks & Recreation Department Dale Anderson, Director 420 N. Pokegama Ave. Grand Rapids, MN 55744 (218) 326-2500; danderson@ci.grand-rapids.mn.us