Olympic Trials To Be Smoke-Free
Posted Tuesday, 19 February, 2008
EUGENE, Ore. – The Eugene 08 Local Organizing Committee, along with the University of Oregon and community health officials, have committed to making the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Track & Field a tobacco-free event. This commitment is in keeping with the tobacco-free policy of the International Olympic Committee and other international sports organizations.
In light of the findings by the U.S. Surgeon General that exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke and use of tobacco are significant health hazards, all tobacco products will be prohibited during the 10 days of the event, both at Hayward Field and on the Eugene 08 Festival grounds. “Prohibiting tobacco in the ‘Superblock’ is consistent with the Eugene 08 commitment to promoting health and fitness,” said Greg Erwin, Local Organizing Committee Co-Chair. The Superblock is the area within Hayward Field, and the surrounding blocks between 15th and 18th, from University to Agate Streets where the Eugene 08 Festival will be held.
Laura Hammond, Public Health Educator in the Tobacco Prevention and Education Program of the Lane County Public Health Department helped to promote the idea of a tobacco-free event. “As a part of the overall state tobacco prevention program, our goals are to reduce youth initiation of tobacco use, support cessation, and eliminate exposure to second-hand smoke. Establishing tobacco-free events actually helps accomplish all three of these goals.”
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