Northern Health has teamed up with Ron and Chase Larson of Larson Motorsports Team to raise awareness about all the benefits of tobacco-free sports as well as to influence youth behaviour through positive role models during the "Motorsports Yes, Tobacco No" campaign.
Tobacco use, including spit tobacco, hinders the athletic performance of talented young race car drivers and everyone involved in sports activities by contributing to fatigue and muscle weakness. Being tobacco-free gives race car drivers the edge over their opponents and contributes towards a career free from tobacco-related health issues, said Denys Smith, NH regional tobacco reduction co-ordinator at 250-649-7504.
Ron Larson, driver of Sprint Car #29, said his team is "proud to partner with Northern Health on this important issue. Tobacco and motorsports don't mix."
The public is encouraged to join Ron and Chase for the launch of Motorsports Yes, Tobacco No campaign and autograph signing Saturday from 2 to 4:30 p.m. at Pine Centre Mall centre court.
Smith said statistics show, on average, the starting age of smokers is 12.7 years; more than 5,800 deaths in B.C. per year are connected to tobacco-related disease; and at least 50 of the chemicals in cigarette smoke and 28 in spit tobacco are known to cause cancer.
