American Indian Health & Services received $182,319 from the Public Health Institute, Tobacco-Free Events Project to fight chewing tobacco sponsorship of rodeo events in Santa Barbara County.

Through its Families Against Chewing Tobacco Sampling (FACTS) Project, the Indian group tries to prevent tobacco promotions and sponsorships at venues where tobacco companies market their products before, during and after rodeos.

The primary tool in combating chewing tobacco is seven high school rodeo riders who will work as advocates, each receiving a $700 rodeo sponsorship. The young people were selected through an anti-tobacco essay writing contest. In addition, they submitted information on their experience in rodeos, their strengths and why they would be a good candidate for the sponsorship.

"With the help of these youth rodeo advocates, it is American Indian Health & Services' goal to educate the rodeo community on the hazardous effects of chewing tobacco, and to begin to eliminate these marketing techniques that place our children in a life long struggle for their health," said Carmen Wallin, the group's deputy director.

The young riders will attend Tobacco 101, a class on the FACTS Project goals and tobacco prevention, and participate in parades and rodeos in Santa Barbara County.

They'll wear a sponsorship shirt and jacket to all California High School Rodeo Association events and place a magnetic sign on their truck or horse trailer bearing the words "Buck Tobacco" and a logo of a bucking bull and rider kicking a chewing tobacco can.

For more information on the FACTS project, call 681-7356.