CDC Highlights Tobacco-Free Sports at

ESPN Winter X Games VIII

Aspen, CO - The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) through its Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is collaborating with ESPN during the Winter X Games VIII in Aspen/Snowmass to publicize the tobacco-free policy at the games and promote the health benefits of an active tobacco-free lifestyle.

Everyday more than 4,000 youth start smoking. Collaborating with the X Games is a great way to help us reverse this trend and encourage our nation's youth to make important health decisions related to tobacco use, physical activity, and good nutrition,” said Tommy G. Thompson, U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services.

Smoking and use of other tobacco products is not permitted at the Winter X Games VIII being held January 23-27.

"There's no question that smoking negatively effects athletic performance," said U.S. Surgeon General Richard Carmona. “Participation in sports serves as positive way youth can express themselves without tobacco and reap the benefits of physical activity.”

CDC’s Tobacco-Free Sports public education activities during the Winter X Games VIII include airing of public service announcements that feature athletes who endorse a smoke-free healthy lifestyle as critical to achieving their highest potential.

Members of Colorado’s youth-led health promotion campaign, “Get R!EAL,” will help distribute information on tobacco use and health at the Tobacco-Free Sports booth on site. Nearly 40 “Get R!EAL” youth coalitions are active in schools and community-based organizations throughout Colorado.

HHS and CDC activities at the ESPN Winter X Games VIII are part of a global Tobacco-Free Sports campaign which CDC, the World Health Organization, and their international partners launched in Geneva, Switzerland, in November 2001.

For more information about Tobacco-Free Sports and other tobacco and health topics, visit CDC’s Tobacco Information and Prevention Source web site at www.cdc.gov/tobacco. To obtain a videotape copy of the TV spots, contact the CDC Media Campaign Resource Center at 770-488-5705, extension 2 or mcrc@cdc.gov.

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CDC protects people's health and safety by preventing and controlling diseases and injuries; enhances health decisions by providing credible information on critical health issues; and promotes healthy living through strong partnerships with local, national, and international organizations.