Tobacco-Wise Sports

Aboriginal youth are ready for a change! In April 2008 at the Knowledge Exchange Forum, a group of youths decided that commercial tobacco doesn’t belong at sporting events.  And so they made a plan to promote Tobacco-Wise sports at the Little NHL (Little Native Hockey League). 

Tobacco-Wise sports means that everyone participating in a sport or recreational activity does not use commercial tobacco and recognizes the difference between Traditional Tobacco and commercial tobacco use.   

At the LNHL this would mean that all players, coaches, parents, referees and spectators of the LNHL do not use commercial tobacco while playing or attending LNHL events or while representing their team.  

Promoting Tobacco-Wise Sports can: 

• Prevent youth from using commercial tobacco products
• Prevent youth from being exposed to second-hand smoke
• Improve athletic performance of players
• Further understanding of the role and uses of Traditional Tobacco

To raise community awareness and support for a Tobacco-Wise LNHL and sports in general, the youths will be present at the first 2 days of the games in Sarnia (March 16-17, 2009).   

The youths have also drafted a Tobacco-Wise policy for the Little NHL and will be formally presenting it to the Little NHL Executive Team later this year. 

If you are interested in finding out more about Tobacco-Wise Sports, getting involved in this initiative or promoting Tobacco-Wise Sports in your community, please send an email to Luciana Rodrigues at info@tobaccowise.com