Did you know that 1 out of 10 teenage boys uses spit tobacco?

US Smokeless Tobacco Company (UST) is a national sponsor of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA). They've sponsored Rodeo Tours, Rodeo Series and the National Finals Rodeo. This has given them a platform to promote their spit tobacco to over 23 million people – many of them kids!

These promotions (including tobacco-sampling booths) are influencing our kids. Help us get spit tobacco OUT of rodeo!


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This letter will be sent to the following individual(s):
Troy Ellerman, PRCA Commissioner

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Subject:Get UST out of Rodeos
Dear Commissioner Ellerman:

I am writing to you because I believe you have an important opportunity to demonstrate your commitment to rodeo being a mainstream and family-oriented sport. We would like to encourage the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) to reject further sponsorship from the US Smokeless Tobacco Company (UST). We would like to encourage you to choose a sponsor that is not affiliated with a controversial issue like tobacco.

Kids admire cowboys and look up to them as role models. Furthering an association between rodeo events/riders and smokeless tobacco sends the dangerous message that using smokeless tobacco is healthy and "cool." The PRCA and its riders should promote a healthy, tobacco-free lifestyle to our kids.

Smokeless tobacco can lead to oral cancer, gum disease and nicotine addiction in addition to increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease. One out of ten teenage boys uses smokeless tobacco. This amounts to nearly 880,000 kids (a little less than the population of Montana) who put their health at risk. I urge you to do your part to keep kids healthy and end the PRCA's association with UST.

The PRCA has the opportunity to choose sponsors for the Wrangler ProRodeo Tour, the Pace Picante ProRodeo Series and the Wrangler Nationals Finals Rodeo that send a positive, healthy message to young fans of rodeo. By rejecting UST's sponsorship, the PRCA can achieve its goals of becoming a mainstream, family-oriented sport.

Thank you for taking the time to consider my comments. I look forward to your response.

Sincerely,

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