Cavan GAA Adopt Tobacco ControlPolicy for Kingspan Breffni

By Susan Fri 10th May

Cavan County Board earlier this year began a number of initiatives to create a healthier and more inclusive environment in and around our county grounds, Kingspan Breffni.

In January 2019, in conjunction with our Health & Wellbeing committee, PROJECT HEALTHY U was born. A committee was put in place to organise a number of events focused on promoting healthy mind and body, creating community spirit, therefore creating a healthier environment around the stadium.

Events included weekly fun run, walk, jog followed by refreshments each week, building up to 5K at the end of each programme. There were seminars on various health topics at our health day in January. Healthy food options are now on sale in the shops at all games in Kingspan Breffni. To promote road safety, the RSA car simulator was available to us on the weekend of the Christopher Sheils tournament.

Tobacco Control Policy.

Cavan GAA is committed as part of our overall philosophy to discourage the use of tobacco as such activity is incompatible with a healthy approach to sporting activity. We are committed to reducing the use of tobacco and its harmful health effects by implementing an effective tobacco control policy.

We aim to protect the health of individuals in our clubs, wider communities and visitors to the stadium by keeping them safe from all tobacco related harm.

We realise that tobacco use and exposure to second hand smoke is severely harmful to health, in particular that of children. There is no safe level of exposure. We aim to change social norms and encourage people to consider quitting and to reduce the initiation of smoking among young people.

From Saturday 18th May 2019, beginning at the Ulster Championship Cavan v Monaghan and Lory Meagher Cup Cavan v Fermanagh games, Cavan GAA are implementing a tobacco control policy, which includes the non use of e-cigarettes on all pitch viewing areas of Kingspan Breffni to include the covered and uncovered stands and all terraced areas. Signage is being provided to reinforce this message.

This policy applies to all members, officials, stewards, coaches, players, parents, spectators, visitors and volunteers. We believe that we are setting a positive example for the community with genuine concern for everyone’s health. A number of smoking areas will be available around the grounds.

We are very grateful for the assistance of the HSE QUIT team, Cavan County Council, Healthy Cavan and our main sponsors Kingspan with this very important initiative.

Ms. Paula Campbell (Department of Health Promotion & Improvement, HSE) said “The HSE welcomes the new smoke free areas in Kingspan Breffni. Smoke free areas provide a healthy environment and support those who want to quit smoking. Anyone who is thinking about quitting can get free support in Cavan General Hospital (049 437 6527) or from the HSE Quit Team at 1800 201 203.”

County Board Chairman, Gerry Brady said’ Cavan GAA fully support the excellent work of our Health & Wellbeing and Project Healthy U committees and are fully behind the anti-smoking policy in our county grounds. We want to have a healthy and safe environment for our supporters when they visit Kingspan Breffni’.

Kingspan Breffni is Committed to Following an Effective Tobacco Control Policy