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For Release Wednesday,
13th March, 2002 |
CONTACT: TIM O’CONNOR |
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PHONE:561-355-3576
FAX:561- 355-3038
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PALM BEACH COUNTY, FL—A first for Palm Beach County will occur Friday and Saturday March 22 and 23, 2002 when girls basketball teams compete in the “Leading the Way” tournament at Suncoast High School.
Students Working Against Tobacco and Palm Beach County Tobacco-Free Partnership are sponsoring this event designed to get youth excited about being tobacco-free and at the same time exhibit their athletic talents.
During the event, tobacco statistics and information will be placed throughout the gymnasium. Various SWAT members will interact with the audience by asking questions based on the tobacco information displayed. Participants answering questions correctly will have the opportunity to win SWAT prizes like sport towels and pom-poms.
Event and SWAT Coordinator, Sarah Spence said, “We hope to have 12 girls teams from various schools and age groups competing for some great prizes in this single elimination event. I know that these girls have never smoked and work real hard at their athletic skills making this one of the most competitive tournaments in the county.” Spence added that the tournament takes place during Spring Break and is a good opportunity for youth to come out and do something they enjoy.
For those not convinced how difficult it is to smoke and compete in physical activities SWAT members will pass out straws to persons and ask them to breath through it while hopping on one foot for 30 seconds. When finished, the individual will have a good idea about what a smoker feels when they run, hop or do other athletic activities.
Michael Brown, Mayor of Riviera Beach and Councilman Donald Wilson will conduct the invocation, to start the event, on March 22, at 9:00 AM, followed by the Suncoast High School Chorus singing the National Anthem, and SWAT State Representatives delivering remarks on the occasion. Games begin at 9:30 AM. Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity of Florida Atlantic University who will be performing Steps will provide lunchtime entertainment.
Teams interested in participating or for information can call the Health Education and Promotions Division of the Palm Beach County Health Department
(561) 586-7828.
It is the hope and vision of SWAT to promote a countywide educational forum where youth can exhibit their athletic talents, and be informed about the dangers of tobacco and the marketing practices of the tobacco industry.
About 3,000 young people start using tobacco everyday, beginning a cycle of addiction that will make many teens sick and kill a third of them. Most kids know the health dangers. Yet, bombarded by the glamorized image of tobacco, they start using tobacco anyway, unaware of how hard it will be to quit.
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