As part of the upcoming “Tobacco Free Florida Week,” the Orlando Magic will blanket its in-arena game night and television presentations of Friday’s game (Mar. 26 – Sun Sports) vs. the Minnesota Timberwolves to include messaging designed to promote the Florida Quitline and local cessation services while raising awareness of the impact of secondhand smoke among at-risk populations. Governor Charlie Crist has proclaimed Mar. 21-28 as Tobacco Free Florida Week, during which Floridians will be encouraged to recommend friends and loved ones to contact the Florida Quitline for help in overcoming their addiction.
“Be Free for Me” will serve as the theme for the week-long school and community-based activities and large-scale sponsorships. Tobacco Free Florida partnered with FOX Sports Florida/Sun Sports to extend the campaign’s message even further by utilizing popular pro and college teams. In addition to the Orlando Magic, Tobacco Free Florida will be the focal point of sporting events for the following teams: Florida State University Men’s Baseball, Florida Panthers, Miami HEAT, University of Florida Men’s Baseball and Tampa Bay Lightning.
On Friday night, the Orlando Magic will incorporate several creative Tobacco Free Florida messaging platforms into their game presentation both in-arena and on Sun Sports. One of the more unique elements will be the placement of “skeleton fans” in prominent seat locations with the message that “we lose too many Magic fans each year to tobacco use.” In addition, Magic Community Ambassadors Nick Anderson and Bo Outlaw have taped Tobacco Free Florida Week messages that will be seen on Sun Sports’ telecast that night as well as on the MagicVision jumbotron screen in Amway Arena.
In addition to the in-arena festivities, the Tobacco Free Florida Street Team and Smokifier vans will be on-site that night outside Amway Arena. They are traveling around the state during the week to spread the message and host school rallies featuring athletes from Florida’s pro teams. The Orlando Magic hosted a Tobacco Free Florida school rally on March 15 with guest speaker Adonal Foyle at the Orlando Junior Academy.
According to the CDC, secondhand smoke is estimated to cause 50,000 deaths per year and contains more than 250 toxic chemicals, including 50 that can lead to cancer. There is no safe level of secondhand smoke. Protect yourself and those around you. Refer a friend or family member to the Florida Quitline at 1.877.U.CAN.NOW or online at www.floridaquitline.com.
For more information about Tobacco Free Florida, visit www.tobaccofreeflorida.com.
