Facility/Field Use Agreement

Tobacco - Free Policy

WHEREAS the City of Lewiston, Maine cares deeply about promoting the good health and quality of life of its citizens and visitors; and

WHEREAS tobacco, secondhand smoke and chewing tobacco are the most preventable causes of death and disease in our community and

WHEREAS tobacco use in and around recreational facilities creates the peculiar circumstances of young people being encouraged and coached by adults to do things beneficial to their health, while at the same time they observe adults and older youth using tobacco products and/or are adversely affected as the result of exposure to secondary smoke and spit saliva; and

WHEREAS the mission of the Lewiston Recreation Department is to provide recreational and leisure opportunities that enhance the quality of life for its citizens and providing safe environments, and has an obligation to discourage those activities which it deems contrary to this mission; and

WHEREAS tobacco‑use, exposure to secondhand smoke and exposure to tobacco saliva spit are clearly contrary to enhancing the quality of life and providing safe environments.

THEREFORE the Recreation Department of the City of Lewiston respectfully requests that there be no use of any tobacco product, including, but not limited to cigarettes, cigars, snuff, dip and chewing tobacco, on, in or at any of the facilities owned, leased, managed or used by the City of Lewiston Recreation Department as well as at any event organized or run under the auspices of the City of Lewiston Recreation Department.

The Recreation Department of the City of Lewiston further requests that all who arrange to use these facilities agree to do the following to promote this tobacco-free field policy:

• Announce the tobacco-free policy public announcement, which follows, to spectators and participants at the start of all events.

“The purpose of (team name and Lewiston Recreation Department/Lewiston School Department) is to promote [sport involved ] and a healthy, active lifestyle. Toward this goal, we have made all Lewiston Recreation facilities tobacco‑free, including fields, spectator areas, restrooms, and parking lots. Thank you for not using tobacco products at the game or practices and for supporting a healthy, tobacco‑free lifestyle for our kids.”

• Hand out the tobacco-free reminder cards to participants and spectators seen using tobacco at recreation facilities.