A GUIDE FOR COACHES TOBACCO FREE SPORTS

KNOW THE FACTS! Each day in the US more than 3,200 people younger than 18 smoke their first cigarette, and an estimated 2,100 youth and young adults who have been occasional smokers become daily cigarette smokers. Current use of smokeless tobacco is about half of what it was in the mid 1990’s. However, only a modest decline has occurred since 2010 and no change occurred between 2012 and Smokeless tobacco use remains a mostly male behavior.

WHAT ABOUT E-CIGARETTES? From , electronic cigarette use doubled among middle and high school students, and hookah use increased among high school students. Concurrent use of multiple tobacco products (along with e-cigarettes) is prevalent among youth.

TOBACCO USE AND REACTION TIME Research indicates that spit tobacco use doesn’t improve and may actually hinder athletic performance A tobacco user’s heartbeat is three times faster than that of a non-user. In competition the body wastes a lot of heartbeats just trying to keep up. “Live, Play, Be Tobacco Free,” Canada

HAND AND BODY MOVEMENT Nicotine in spit tobacco reduces an individual’s ability to perform complex tasks requiring hand and body movements. It also makes it more difficult to adjust quickly to new visual feedback. “Live, Play, Be Tobacco Free,” Canada

LUNG CAPACITY Smoking slows lung growth, decreases lung function and reduces the oxygen available for muscles used in sports. Smokers suffer from shortness of breath almost 3 times more often than non-smokers. “Live, Play, Be Tobacco Free,” Canada

CELL DAMAGE Cigarette smoking and spit tobacco use damages cells that make testosterone (in males and females). Testosterone levels within the body influence the growth of muscle achieved from training. “Live, Play, Be Tobacco Free,” Canada

GRAPHICS SAY IT ALL…

TAKE A STAND – EARLY AND OFTEN! Recognize your influence with young people. Don’t use tobacco products around them. Remind players of the importance of being smoke-free. When talking to players, remember they relate more to messages about the immediate effects of tobacco use (such as poorer athletic performance) than to its long-term threats. “Live, Play, Be Tobacco Free,” Canada

TAKE A STAND (CONT’D) Adopt and reinforce a tobacco-free policy for players, coaches, referees and spectators. Share your tobacco-free policies with athletes’ families and caregivers. Challenge spectators to give their personal support to the players by respecting a tobacco-free zone. Connect with a community group that is also working to promote being tobacco free. (i.e. Hickman County Health Council) “Live, Play, Be Tobacco Free,” Canada

RESOURCES Tennessee Department of Health: Health.state.tn.us/tobaccoquitline.htm Others: Tobaccofreekids.org Smokefree.gov CDC.gov/Tobacco Ucanquit2.org , ext. 108