Tobacco Free Sports Program Launched

Friday, December 16, 2005 01:59 PM

Tobacco prevention in the Prince George area is at centre ice, thanks to a new partnership between the Prince George Cougars, Canadian Cancer Society, and Northern Health.

The three organizations have teamed up to launch the “Hockey Yes, Tobacco No” campaign. The initiative is designed to raise awareness of the benefits of tobacco free sports and influence youth behaviour through positive role models such as Capt. Myles Zimmer and Nick Drazenovic from the Prince George Cougars.

“You can’t consistently put the puck in the net with tobacco in your system” said Stephanie Powell, Community Action Coordinator for the Canadian Cancer Society. “Tobacco use, including spit, will hinder sporting performance of young athletes, including fatigue, muscle weakness and decreased physical performance.”

The “Hockey Yes, Tobacco No” campaign includes:
• New rink boards at CN Centre sponsored by the Prince George Cougars, the Canadian Cancer Society, and NH promoting “Hockey Yes, Tobacco No” ; and
• Posters sponsored by all three organizations, promoting Cougars players and the Tobacco Free Sports message; and
• Targeted outreach by the two PG Cougar players to minor hockey and schools in Prince George.

“Prevention is a big part of Northern Health’s strategy to reduce tobacco use in the region, which is the single highest cause of preventable illness and death across Northern BC,” said Kerri McCaig Team Leader Tobacco Reduction Strategy for NH. “All of us at Northern Health appreciate these kinds of partnerships to link healthy activities like hockey with a tobacco prevention message.”

“We want to support and promote Tobacco Free Sports in the North,” said Prince George Cougars Business Manager Brandi Brodsky. “Our players are pleased to work with Northern Health and the Canadian Cancer Society in making sure that people –especially youth- don’t take up smoking or tobacco use in the first place.”
“Hockey Yes Tobacco No” will be launched at the Prince George Cougars game tomorrow night at CN Centre when the Cougars host Kamloops.

The Kamloops Blazers, along with the Vancouver Giants are also participants in “Hockey Yes Tobacco No” initiatives in their respective communities

Previous Story - Next Story

Email |

Print |

Facebook |

Twitter |

Digg |

Del.icio.us

Posted on Friday, December 16, 2005 01:59 PM in News by 250 News

Return to Home

Comments

Posted by: YamaDooPolCat on December 17 2005 7:59 AM

HeeHee. The smokers are outside, so why spend money on ads inside?

Posted by: gypsy on December 17 2005 12:35 PM

Oh sure, and the smokers attend to stand outside and smoke.
I do believe they will go inside to watch the game. and the ads will catch their attention.
Any attempt to stop people from smoking is worth the effort.
One drawback is the governments will make less money-but on the plus side far less will be spent on health issues related to smoking.
Great idea- and may this partnership be highly successful in producing desired results.

Posted by: YamaDooPolCat on December 17 2005 5:26 PM

Ya, like putting lots of alcohol ads in the AA center will make them forget about smoke?
Let them smoke - they are paying for their own share of the health care costs.
I say stop selling tobacco.
If you simply have to treat people like children - well do it! Either that or grow up yourself.

Posted by: gypsy on December 17 2005 7:08 PM

"Poor soul!"
Definite proof we are not all born equal.

Posted by: YamaDooPolCat on December 18 2005 7:02 PM

Ya, I know. But some just don't worry about it as much as others.