Stepping Out For Some Éire

Éire Óg Greystones

reystones’ GAA have decided to stamp out smoking entirely at their local club.

And the ban isn’t just for the club, of course, but the entire grounds too.

Having been launched with a little help from Health Minister Stephen Donnelly, the aim of the Éire Óg Healthy Club initiative is, say the organisers, to protect the health of individuals at the club, the wider community and visitors to the grounds – by keeping them safe from all tobacco-related harm.

With signage now in place at the club to let people know of the extensive smoking ban, the club states that the new policy applies to everyone – members, official, stewards, coaches, players, parents, spectators, visitors and volunteers.

Said Minister Donnelly of the ban, “Clubs like Éire Óg play a vital role in setting the right example for our young people. In Ireland, smoking is the leading cause of avoidable death…”

Currently, the HSE estimates that nearly 6,000 people die in Ireland each year from the effects of smoking and thousands others suffer from smoke-related illnesses.

“By introducing a smoking ban,” says Donnelly, “the club is showing their young and impressionable members that smoking is not something you should think of as cool – and should be avoided at all costs.

“The best way to do that is to never start…”