Policy Statement It is the policy of the Bowls NSW Board to protect the health and sporting performance of all its members by adopting a ‘Smoke-Free Greens’ Policy for all State Finals of Association Events and Inter-zone Sides Championships conducted by Bowls NSW, and by supporting any Club, District or Zone that also implement ‘smoke-free” initiatives in the interest of Bowling Members. Bowls NSW acknowledges and endorses the Tobacco Amendment Bill 2012 which amends the SmokeFree Environment Act 2000 and encourages all NSW Clubs to ensure compliance with this legislation. Bowls NSW acknowledge the damage that cigarette tobacco smoke can cause, and the highly addictive nature of the habit. Bowls NSW also acknowledges that council across the state have imposed smoking bans on council owned property while children are playing sport or enjoying recreational activity, and in some cases banned smoking outright. It is also acknowledged that other state governments have banned smoking on greens and surrounds. Bowls NSW is reticent to take any action or enforce policies that may have a damaging effect on, or which fall within the jurisdiction of the clubs that run the sport across NSW. Therefore this policy continues to recognise that it remains the absolute discretion of each individual Club to introduce and/or enforce ‘smoke-free greens’ at their own venues when conducting their own events. Bowls NSW Board encourages and supports the initiative of any District or Zone Association implementing ‘Smoke-Free Greens’ for any Association Events or other events they conduct as the controlling body in partnership with host clubs. Bowls NSW acknowledges that it may also be difficult to find the correct balance among the array of competing interests on this matter. Bowls NSW acknowledge the need to create a safe environment for our Bowling Members, volunteers and officials, to be supportive to clubs and the need for our NSW representative bowlers to be role model.