Tobacco-Free Sports Initiatives
Introduction to Tobacco-Free Sports
If current youth tobacco use trends continue, 6.4 million of today’s young
people will die from tobacco-related diseases. Nearly all first-time tobacco use
occurs before high school graduation. This suggests that if kept
tobacco-free, most youth will never start using tobacco.
Youth sports continue to be popular in the United States. Sports
activities, therefore, present great opportunities to reach young people. Young athletes learn to
make important health decisions related to tobacco use, physical activity, and good nutrition
while on a sports team.
Tobacco-Free Sports Movement Gains Momentum
Many high-profile athletes, coaches, agencies, and organizations joined CDC’s tobacco-free sports movement.
Agencies and organizations that support tobacco-free sports include CDC,
World Health Organization (WHO), National Cancer Institute, National Clearinghouse
for Alcohol and Drug Information, National SAFE KIDS Campaign, International Olympic Committee, Federation
Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), and many other sports leagues and youth organizations.
Because of this strong support, the tobacco-free sports movement is gaining momentum in many different sports arenas.
- In 2001, the Smoke-Free Soccer program went global when CDC
teamed up with WHO and FIFA to promote worldwide
tobacco-free messages. Women and men soccer stars and other athletes from the United States, Australia, Brazil,
China, and Canada appeared in posters to show their support for the program.
- The tobacco-free Olympic tradition continued in Torino, Italy (2006) and the 2008
Olympic Games in Beijing, China. The 2010 Vancouver Games also will be tobacco-free!
CDC welcomes your participation in the effort
to promote sports participation as a healthy and positive alternative to tobacco use.
Tobacco-Free Sports Information Sheets
Sports Initiative Materials
The Tobacco-Free Sports Playbook: Creating Programs for Healthier Youth, Teams, and Communities
Tobacco-Free Soccer Coach's Manual
Soccer: Kickin' Butts
A teen documentary produced by the Emmy award winning PBS
program "In the Mix."
Sports Initiative Posters
Page last reviewed 08/20/2008
Page last modified 08/20/2008