COLLINGWOOD, ON (August 16, 2010) – Alpine Ontario with the help of a grant from the Ontario Public Health initiative Tobacco-Free Sport & Recreation will be promoting a tobacco-free sport policy for all Alpine Ontario members.
Tobacco-free sport and recreation means that athletes, coaches and spectators refrain from using any form of tobacco product while participating in sporting events. By displaying the Play, Live, Be Tobacco-Free logo Alpine Ontario is promoting a healthy, tobacco-free sport.
Alpine Ontario President Nancy Esson says, “We are very happy to partner with the Government of Ontario to promote this important tobacco-free initiative. This is aligned with our goals to promote a healthy environment for participation in Alpine ski racing in Ontario.”
The benefits of tobacco-free sport and recreation include:
Preventing youth from starting to use tobacco industry products
Children and youth model their behaviour after the people they look up to - coaches, leaders, family, and peers.
Giving everyone a chance to perform at their best
Tobacco use goes against the health benefits gained by participating in sport and recreational activities.
Protecting the environment.
Cigarette butts are the main source of litter in communities and on beaches. It takes 15 years for a cigarette butt to biodegrade.
Protecting children from second-hand smoke
There is no known safe level of exposure to second-hand smoke, even outdoors.
Creating a tobacco-free culture
It is important for youth to receive the same tobacco free messages at their local sport or recreation activities as they experience at school and in the wider community.
Helping smokers quit
Smokers’ Helpline provides personalized support and a community of quitters at your fingertips. Call 1-877-513-5333 or click www.smokershelpline.ca today for help.
For more information on this initiative and to download the tobacco-free toolkit for your ski club please visit the official PLAY, LIVE, BE TOBACCO-FREE website www.playlivebetobaccofree.ca
About Alpine Ontario
As the recognized Provincial Sport Organization and promoter of alpine ski racing in Ontario, Alpine Ontario Alpin represents 42 member ski clubs, over 30,000 active racers, coaches, officials and volunteers in four divisions: Alpine Ontario South Division, National Capital Division, Lake Superior Division Alpine and Northern Ontario Division. AOA coordinates several successful programs across the province and continues to foster the development of ski racing programs from the grass roots to the elite level.
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"Ski Racing from Start to Finish"
Contact:
Kristin Ellis
Communications Coordinator
communications@alpineontario.ca
705-444-5111x132
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