Thunder and Lightning to promote tobacco-free sports

Published on May 26, 2006 under USL First Division (USL-1)
Minnesota Thunder News Release


ST. PAUL, MINN (Friday, May 26, 2006) - The Minnesota Thunder, the Minnesota Lightning, Tobacco-Free Youth Recreation, and the Minnesota Department of Health are teaming up to celebrate World No Tobacco Day at the double header Thunder and Lightning home game on Saturday, May 27th at the National Sports Center in Blaine. The Minnesota Lightning will host the London Gryphons at 5:05 pm. The Minnesota Thunder will host the Portland Timbers at 7:35 pm.

The Minnesota Thunder and Minnesota Lightning players have taken a pledge to be tobacco-free during their season. Youth who attend the game can join the Thunder players in taking a pledge to be tobacco-free. They will also receive a FREE tobacco-free poster featuring Minnesota Thunder player Melvin Tarley and Minnesota Lightning player Lauren Astry.

"We believe it is important to be healthy role models for youth," said Amos Magee, Minnesota Thunder Head Coach. "Youth look to athletes as role models, and we want them to know that tobacco use is a bad choice for anyone who wants to be the strongest and healthiest person he or she can be."

Tobacco-Free Youth Recreation Director Brittany McFadden said it's important for athletes to set a positive example for young people. "Young, aspiring athletes look up to popular, successful athletes. It's important for adult athletes to educate kids that tobacco and sports don't mix," McFadden said. She explained, "Smoking hurts young people's physical fitness in terms of both performance and endurance." Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable disease and death in Minnesota; unfortunately, nearly 30% of Minnesota high-school seniors are smokers. She also pointed out that more than half of Minnesota students of middle-school age and higher are exposed to second-hand smoke every week, and that second-hand smoke has been shown to affect learning. "World No Tobacco Day is a great opportunity for all Minnesotans to talk with kids about the dangers of all kinds of tobacco products," McFadden said.

The World Health Organization sponsors World No Tobacco Day every year on May 31st to raise awareness about the dangers of tobacco use among teens and adults. Tobacco consumption continues to be the leading preventable cause of death in the world. The World Health Organization calls tobacco a "communicated disease" marketed by advertising and sponsorship, including a significant presence in stadiums and sports arenas around the world. WHO estimates that tobacco companies spend the equivalent of more than $150 million in television advertising every year in the U.S. via sponsorship of motor sports events, despite the federal ban on televised tobacco advertising.

According to WHO, tobacco industry attempts to connect tobacco and sports create a host of problems, including false perceptions about athletic excellence and smoking. For the athlete, professional or recreational, tobacco use lowers performance and the ability to play the game. For spectators, tobacco use at sporting events not only reduces their enjoyment of the game and sends the wrong message to kids, but it also exposes them to secondhand smoke, which is linked to an estimated 53,000 deaths in the United States every year. For sports teams and facilities, tobacco advertising and sponsorship runs counter to the ideals of health and fair play embodied in sports. In short, tobacco and sports do not mix. For more information, go to http://www.who.int/tobacco/communications/events/wntd/2005/en

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USL First Division Stories from May 26, 2006


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