Growing Numbers Of GAA Clubs Ban Vaping
Image Credits: Alamy/PA
Growing Numbers Of GAA Clubs Ban Vaping
Text: Izzy Copestake
Kiss Goodbye to pineapple ice on the sidelines.
More and more GAA clubs are choosing to ban vapes as health concerns over E-Cigarettes grow. Since 2017, smoking has been completely banned in all areas of clubs, but more recently some clubs have chosen to specifically include vaping in this ban, in line with GAA health recommendations.
The GAA Healthy Clubs campaign aims to set a positive example to young players, protect members and players from first and secondhand smoke, and minimise litter. The push against vapes is coupled with a cartoon video to discourage the habit and a ‘GAA Smoke Free Policy Statement’ which specifically mentions E-Cigarettes.
St Fechin’s GAA in County Louth is one of the latest clubs to put up signs which explicitly state that vaping is banned in all areas of the club, including the sidelines.
“Already, there has been a huge positive reaction to this from adults at the club and I’d say 95% of times, you wouldn’t see vaping on the sidelines anyway.” Says PRO Michelle Mooney of St Fechin’s GAA Club, “But this ban is to reinforce that and send a clear message out that we are a club that promotes health and we show a responsibility to our youth.”
This year, Ireland has already banned the sale of vapes to under 18s, cracked down on their advertising and announced plans to ban vapes entirely. As the All Ireland Club Finals draw closer, we might see more clubs taking on GAA health recommendations concerning vapes.
Elsewhere on District: We Need To Talk About Disposable Vapes, Ireland is Banning Disposable Vapes
