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Espaρol
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Smoking is a serious problem. The U.S. Surgeon
General says that young people who smoke are risking their
health both on and off the field. Smokers suffer from problems
that make it harder for them to play sports. The long-term
health problems cause by smoking may seem to be in the distant
future, but they're real. Each year, smoking kills more people
than AIDS, alcohol, drug abuse, car crashes, murders, suicides
and fire - combined! |
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We also know that young people who play strenuous sports like soccer
are less likely to smoke. For these reasons - and many others - we
encourage you to make your team and league SmokeFree by adopting the
following policies:
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| 1. |
SmokeFree kids should play on
SmokeFree fields. Players and coaches should encourage family
members and fans to avoid smoking at games and practices. |
| 2. |
Refuse tobacco company advertising
or sponsorship of any type. |
| 3. |
Discuss your support of SmokeFree
soccer policies at preseason meetings of coaches and families. |
| 4. |
Show your support. Display the
SmokeFree Soccer logo on team or league uniforms and
publications.
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| The
Real Deal About Tobacco |
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Smoking cuts down on fitness. So if you smoke, you're not going to
be able to run as fast or as far as your smoke-free teammates or
opponents! |
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Smoking slows down lung growth and makes it harder
to breathe. That can leave you gulping for air when you need it
most! |
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Teen
smokers suffer from shortness of breath almost three times as
often as teens who don't smoke. Breath is something an athlete
can't afford to be short on! |
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Three out of four teens who smoke every day say
they keep smoking because it's really hard to quit. Do you want to
be hooked on nicotine or sports? |
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Compared to nonsmokers at rest, the hearts of young adult smokers
beat an extra two or three times per minute. So in competition, a
smoker's body wastes a lot of heartbeats just trying to keep up
with non-smokers! |
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Teen smokers produce phlegm (yuck!) more than
twice as often as teens who don't smoke. Ever try breathing and
spitting at the same time? |
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