In 2017 Peninsula Health, St Kilda Football Club and its partners supported three AFL South East leagues to become smoke-free environments.
Local football clubs teamed up with local councils, sporting groups and Peninsula Health to ‘stamp out smoking’ at both junior and senior levels on World No Tobacco Day -31 May 2017.
Peninsula Health, St Kilda Football Club, Good Sports, Frankston City Council and Mornington Peninsula Shire worked with AFL South East and its leagues – Frankston District Junior Football League and Mornington Peninsula Football Netball League - to become smoke-free.
Frankston District Junior Football League went completely smoke-free, banning smoking at all football grounds during organised underage sporting events.
The Mornington Peninsula Football Netball League launched their smoke-free commitment at the Quit Challenge Round in June by banning smoking everywhere at their clubs, except for one designated area.
AFL South East successfully held a first ever completely smoke-free senior’s final series.
Going smoke-free and banning smoking in all areas except one is a significant achievement for these senior clubs. Congratulations to all clubs for signing the Frankston Mornington Peninsula Smoke Free Charter - this commitment to implementing a smoke free policy is creating a healthier environment for players, supporters and the community. These clubs are now role models Australia wide.
This has provided young people, families and the community with a smoke-free sporting environment, reducing players’ and spectators’ exposure to the harmful effects of second-hand smoke and helping to discourage young people from taking up smoking.
To see the passion to stamp out smoking these messages have been captured by St Kilda FC on YouTube: clip 1 and clip 2 and via Instagram.
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