Wicklow GAA announces new smoke-free policy at Ballinakill

NEW POLICY FOR COUNTY GROUNDS AND THE CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE

WICKLOW GAA launched its smoke free policy in county grounds on Saturday last.

The initiative is a collaboration between Wicklow GAA, HSE Health and Wellbeing and County Wicklow Community Partnership.

The policy covers the GAA County Grounds in Aughrim and the GAA’s Centre of Excellence in Ballinakill. The official launch took place before the Leinster Intermediate Hurling Championship quarter-final between Bray Emmets and Scoil Ui Chonaill in Aughrim on Saturday afternoon.

Martin Fitzgerald, Chair of Wicklow GAA County Board said: ‘protecting our “young lungs” from the harm of second-hand smoke is a priority for the GAA.

‘My own home club of Annacurra has been smoke-free for a number of years and was the first in Wicklow GAA to do so. Everyone now knows not to smoke in the club grounds.’

Welcoming the policy, Brian Carty, CEO of County Wicklow Partnership, said research shows that young people can develop an addition to smoking by mimicking adult behaviour, ‘Denormalising smoking is key for young people not to start smoking in the first place,’ he added.

County Wicklow Community Partnership and the HSE Health and Wellbeing have engaged with sporting organisations and schools to encourage and support the development and adoption of smoke free outdoor areas where children and families are present.

David Murray, Chair of the County Wicklow GAA Health and Wellbeing committee, said: ‘It is vitally important that as role models for our young people, that we in the GAA lead the way. Today’s launch is the beginning of other clubs in the county adopting smoke free policies and ensuring that our young lungs at play get the best opportunity to go on to live healthy lives.’

David Murray,Wicklow GAA; Mary Desmond, HSE Tobacco Health Promotion and Improvement; Brian Carthy, Co Wicklow Partnership; Frances Stephenson, Wicklow GAA; Anne Kavanagh, Co Wicklow Partnership; and Fergal Fox HSE Health Promotion Improvement Manager, at the launch of the Wicklow GAA smoke-free policy at the County Grounds in Aughrim.

Martin Fitzgerald, Chair of the Wicklow GAA County Board; Frances Stephenson, Wicklow GAA County Health and Wellbeing Committee; and David Murray, Chairperson of the Wicklow GAA County Health and Wellbeing Committee, at the launch of the smoke-free policy on Saturday afternoon.