Did you know that 1 out of 10 teenage boys uses spit tobacco?
US
Smokeless Tobacco Company (USSTC) is a national sponsor of the
Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA). They've sponsored local
rodeos, rodeo tours, and the National Finals Rodeo. This has given them
a platform to promote their spit tobacco to over 23 million people --
many of them kids!
These promotions (including tobacco-sampling booths) are influencing our kids. Help us get spit tobacco OUT of rodeo!
Use the space below to add your personal comments to the letter.
Send Your Letter Now
Subject:
Dear Board President Martin:
I
am writing to you because I believe you have an important opportunity
to demonstrate your commitment to rodeo being a mainstream and
family-oriented sport. We would like to encourage the Professional
Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) to reject further sponsorship from the
US Smokeless Tobacco Company (USSTC). We would like to encourage you to
choose a sponsor that is not affiliated with a controversial issue like
tobacco.
Kids admire cowboys and look up to
them as role models. Furthering an association between rodeo
events/riders and smokeless tobacco sends the dangerous message that
using smokeless tobacco is healthy and "cool." The PRCA and its riders
should promote a healthy, tobacco-free lifestyle to our kids.
Smokeless
tobacco can lead to oral cancer, gum disease and nicotine addiction in
addition to increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease. One out of
ten teenage boys uses smokeless tobacco. This amounts to nearly 880,000
kids (a little less than the population of Montana) who put their
health at risk. I urge you to do your part to keep kids healthy and end
the PRCA's association with USSTC.
The PRCA has the opportunity to choose sponsors for the Wrangler
ProRodeo Tour, the Pace Picante ProRodeo Series and the Wrangler
Nationals Finals Rodeo that send a positive, healthy message to young
fans of rodeo. By rejecting USSTC's sponsorship, the PRCA can achieve
its goals of becoming a mainstream, family-oriented sport.
Thank you for taking the time to consider my comments. I look forward to your response.
