 This tool can help you to adopt a policy for tobacco-free public places. It proposes steps to take
and refers to other tools in the kit.
1. Consult with and inform the council chief
2. Mobilize community partners and build on existing partnerships
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Target partners who have an interest in adopting a policy for tobacco-free public places, people
who stand to benefit from the policy and support it.
Involve, if possible, community people from all walks of life (elders, youth, council members,
health workers, school officials, business people, etc.).
Sensitize partners about the importance of working together so that their efforts produce change.
3. Analyze the needs of community members
 Reach out to community members through surveys, focus groups or other means to find out their
views and needs regarding tobacco-free public places.
Consult the Tobacco-Free Public Places Survey provided in the kit.
 Find support in the community (e.g., an influential elder, an intervener at the youth centre, etc.)
 Identify external resources in the community that will support the policy (e.g., the FNQLHSSC and
Health Canada).
 Present the results of the needs analysis to council members.
4. Review the policies concerning tobacco-free public places in force in the community
 Assess the effectiveness of policies that are already in place.
5. Develop an action plan
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 Determine the objectives of the policy, the roles and responsibilities of the partners involved and
the timetable for implementation.
 Collect important data and information (e.g., obstacles to the implementation of a previous
regulation).
 Write a policy proposal.
Consult the Example of a Municipal Regulation for Tobacco-Free Public Places and the Model of a TobaccoFree Public Places Policy, provided in the kit.
 Include a clause that states that smoking is prohibited within a nine-metre radius from any door
leading to an indoor public place. However, if the nine-metre radius anywhere extends beyond the
boundaries of the grounds on which the place is situated, smoking is prohibited only up to those
boundaries. For locations covered by the law, consult the Quebec Tobacco Act included in the kit.
 Present the policy proposal to members of the board for adoption.
 Communicate the policy to community members
Examples:
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Provide members of the community awareness information.
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Develop (or use) the promotional material with a logo and a catchy slogan (e.g., posters, stickers, etc.).
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Set up kiosks in schools and in the community and distribute promotional material.
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Involve a person in the community whose positive influence is recognized (e.g., elder) to help publicize the
policy.
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Put up posters. For inspiration, see the Examples of Posters for Tobacco-Free Public Places.
 Apply the policy
 Periodically evaluate the implementation of the policy.
Examples:
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Once a year, go to places where the policy applies and compare the number of cigarette butts found.
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Conduct interviews with people who will be enforcing the policy.
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Take a survey of certain members of the community.
Sources:
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CHEROKEE NATION AND CENTER FOR CHRONIC DISEASE PREVENTION AND HEALTH PROMOTION (CDC) (2012). Tobacco-Free Policy for City
Parks. An Implementation Guide. [www.cherokee.org/.../2012/.../31664Tobacco_Free_Park_Implementation_ Guide.pdf]
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SAULT TRIBE HEALTH SERVICES (2011). Your Family Deserves a Smoke-free Home: Facilitating Adoption of a Smoke-free Housing Policy for a
Tribal Housing Authority – An Implementation Guide. Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians.
[http://healthysaulttribe.com/sites/healthysaulttribe.com/files/u4/SAULTTRIBE%20IMPLGuide_final%201-16-12.pdf]
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GOUVERNEMENT DU QUÉBEC (2015). The Tobacco Act.
[http://www2.publicationsduquebec.gouv.qc.ca/dynamicSearch/telecharge.php?type=2&file=/T_0_01/T0_01_A.html]
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