Starting a Tobacco-Free Project in Your Community

You can partner with recreational organizations in your community to create tobacco-free environments. Mini-grants are available to Anoka, Carver, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott and Washington County youth groups. Contact TFYR to discuss how to begin your local project!

Policy Process

TFYR believes that the most important aspect of a recreation-based tobacco prevention strategy is the adoption of a tobacco-free policy. TFYR has created a comprehensive training guide for youth groups on how to work toward tobacco-free outdoor recreation areas in their community. The training guide, "Playing Tobacco Free: Making Your Community's Parks, Playgrounds, and Athletic Fields Tobacco Free," is broken down into seven steps.

• Guide Cover
• Step One: Pre-Season Information: The Truths about Tobacco and Tobacco-Free Parks
• Step Two: Survey the Playing Field: Assess Your Community and Local Government
• Step Three: Policies that Kick Butt: Create Tobacco-Free Parks in Your Community
• Step Four: Rally the Team: Build Community Support
• Step Five: Practice the Plays: Plan Your Presentation
• Step Six: Game Time: Present Your Policy Request
• Step Seven: Post-Game Wrap-Up: Thank the Policy Makers and Promote the Policy
• Facilitation Guide for Adult Advisors

TFYR has also created a similar guide for tobacco control professionals.The guide includes detailed policy steps and sample documents.

• Playing Tobacco Free: Making Your Community's Outdoor Recreational Facilities Tobacco Free. A Guide for Tobacco Control Advocates

Learn more about the benefits of tobacco-free policies for parks and other outdoor recreational facilities:

• Playing Tobacco Free Fact Sheet
• Policy FAQ Sheet
• A Policy Maker's Guide to Tobacco-Free Policies for Parks, Playgrounds, and Athletic Facilities