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EWS Ic rfT'i N l iA Newsletter of Tobacco-Free Youth Recreation Association for Nonsmokers-Minnesota 2395 University Ave. West, Suite 310, St. Paul MN 55114 (651) 646-3005, tfyr@ansrmn.org, www.ansrmn.org Vol/ 5, No: 1 Ta*UUE*y 2005 Study Reveals-Minnesotans Support Tobacco-Free Park Policies Park directors also support policies Minnesota residents support tobacco-free park and rec- Park directors and park board members also offered reation policies. This is a finding of the recently-com- insight on enforcement and compliance of tobacco-free pleted Tobacco-Free Park:and-Recreation Study(TFPRS) park policies. While most directors in communities with carried out by the University of Minnesota. A summer no tobacco-free policy had concerns about enforcing 2004 survey of Minnesota residents — from both the policies, only one-quarter of directors in communities metro area and greater Mi e�i ota — revealed that 70% with policies actually reported having compliance issues. of Minnesota adults support tobacco-free park and rec- reation areas. In addition, two-thirds of golfers and The Tobacco-Free Park and Recreation Study was car- nearly three-quarters(73%)of families with children sup- ried out as a, partnership among the University of Min- port these policies. The study even revealed that 28% nesota, the Minnesota Recreation and Park Associa- of smokers support these policies. tion, and the Tobacco-Free Youth Recreation program, with funding provided by the Minnesota Partnership for Action Against Tobacco. Surveys were mailed to ran- Observations of park directors domly selected Minnesota residents age 22 and older after implementing in July 2004; phone interviews with park directors and .cco park board members were conducted from May to tob -free park policies: October 2004. • 88% reported no change in park usage. For more detailed information on the study, please con- 71% reported less smoking in parks. tact Liz Klein, study coordinator, at (612) 626-1799 or <klein—I@epi.umn.edu>. For assistance in adopting a • 58% reported cleaner park areas. tobacco-free park policy, contact Brittany McFadden, Tobacco-Free Youth Recreation director, at (651) 646- 3005 or <bhm@ansrmn.org>. The TFPRS also investigated the experiences of park directors and park board members in adopting tobacco- free park and recreation policies. Interviews were con- ducted with 452 of these individuals, representing the 200 largest Minnesota cities, all Minnesota counties with county parks, and all Minnesota cities with existing to- Tobacco-Free moting ting Healthy Lifestyles Youth Recreation: Prom bacco-free park policies. In communities where tobacco- Tobacco-Free Youth Recreation(TFYR)isastatewideprogramofthe free park and recreation policies have already been Association for Nonsmokers—Minnesota,with funding from the Min- adopted, an overwhelming majority (88%) of park di- nesota Department of Health. TFYR assists recreational groups and rectors and board members reported the policies were health professionals in promoting and modeling tobacco-free lifestyles of very difficult to pass. Study findings also revealed to youth. TFYR offers assistance in the development of tobacco eral positive observations after the policies were imple- prevention strategies and the adoption of tobacco free policies,as well as numerous tobacco prevention materials. Contact us to find out nted: 88% reported no change in park usage, 71% how we can partner with your organization to promote the tobacco- reported less smoking in parks,and 58%reported cleaner free messagel park areas. This newsletter is written and produced by Brittany McFadden, TFYR Director.