Orlando Magic Encourages Fans to be Tobacco Free During Friday’s Game vs. Detroit PIstons
Game is First of Eight Pro/College Games Featured During “Tobacco Free Florida Week” February 27-March 7
February 25, 1009
Orlando, Fla. – As part of the upcoming “Tobacco Free Florida Week” statewide campaign, the Orlando Magic will blanket its in-arena game night and television presentations of Friday’s game (Feb. 27) vs. the Detroit Pistons to include messaging designed to promote smoke-free living while reminding tobacco users of programs and support that are available to help them quit.
Governor Charlie Crist has proclaimed Feb. 27-March 7 as Tobacco Free Florida Week. Floridians are encouraged to take the pledge to be tobacco free on tobaccofreefloridaweek.com.
"The Orlando Magic is honored to partner with Tobacco Free Florida to stress the importance of living a healthy lifestyle," Orlando Magic Chief Operating Officer Alex Martins said. "Tobacco use is the single most preventable cause of death in the United States, and we hope this message will encourage our fan base to lead a tobacco free life as we work together to build a Tobacco Free Florida."
On Friday night, the Orlando Magic will incorporate several creative Tobacco Free Florida messaging platforms into their game presentation both in-arena and on FOX Sports Florida. 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 players and personnel have taped Tobacco Free Florida Week messages that will be seen on FOX Sports Florida’s telecast that night as well as on the MagicVision jumbotron screen in Amway Arena.
With the goal of getting as many as possible to pledge to be tobacco free that night, fans in the arena will be encouraged to stop by the Tobacco Free Florida table display on the concourse to make their pledge. The first 3,000 fans to enter the arena that night will also receive an autographed photo from either Jameer Nelson or Hedo Turkoglu courtesy of Tobacco Free Florida.
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 its first Tobacco Free Florida school rally on February 9 with guest speaker Courtney Lee at Chain of Lakes Middle School, while the second rally will take place March 4 at Lake Mary Preparatory School.
In partnership with FOX Sports Florida and Sun Sports, pro and college teams around the state are rallying behind the campaign. Throughout the week, Tobacco Free Florida will be the focal point of eight sporting events for the following teams: Orlando Magic (Feb. 27 on FOX Sports Florida), Florida State University men’s basketball (Feb. 28), Florida Marlins (March 1), Miami HEAT (March 2 on Sun Sports), Tampa Bay Rays (March 3), Florida Panthers (March 5 on FOX Sports Florida), Tampa Bay Lightning (March 6 on Sun Sports) and University of Florida men’s basketball (March 7).
Smoking is responsible for upwards of 29,000 deaths in Florida each year, and thousands more suffer from cancer, heart disease and other chronic diseases related to tobacco use and second-hand smoke. Nearly one out of every five adults smokes, and 28.8 million packs of cigarettes are bought or smoked by youth in Florida each year.
To pledge to be tobacco free, visit www.tobaccofreefloridaweek.com.
Game is First of Eight Pro/College Games Featured During “Tobacco Free Florida Week” February 27-March 7
February 25, 1009
Orlando, Fla. – As part of the upcoming “Tobacco Free Florida Week” statewide campaign, the Orlando Magic will blanket its in-arena game night and television presentations of Friday’s game (Feb. 27) vs. the Detroit Pistons to include messaging designed to promote smoke-free living while reminding tobacco users of programs and support that are available to help them quit.
Governor Charlie Crist has proclaimed Feb. 27-March 7 as Tobacco Free Florida Week. Floridians are encouraged to take the pledge to be tobacco free on tobaccofreefloridaweek.com.
"The Orlando Magic is honored to partner with Tobacco Free Florida to stress the importance of living a healthy lifestyle," Orlando Magic Chief Operating Officer Alex Martins said. "Tobacco use is the single most preventable cause of death in the United States, and we hope this message will encourage our fan base to lead a tobacco free life as we work together to build a Tobacco Free Florida."
On Friday night, the Orlando Magic will incorporate several creative Tobacco Free Florida messaging platforms into their game presentation both in-arena and on FOX Sports Florida. 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 players and personnel have taped Tobacco Free Florida Week messages that will be seen on FOX Sports Florida’s telecast that night as well as on the MagicVision jumbotron screen in Amway Arena.
With the goal of getting as many as possible to pledge to be tobacco free that night, fans in the arena will be encouraged to stop by the Tobacco Free Florida table display on the concourse to make their pledge. The first 3,000 fans to enter the arena that night will also receive an autographed photo from either Jameer Nelson or Hedo Turkoglu courtesy of Tobacco Free Florida.
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 its first Tobacco Free Florida school rally on February 9 with guest speaker Courtney Lee at Chain of Lakes Middle School, while the second rally will take place March 4 at Lake Mary Preparatory School.
In partnership with FOX Sports Florida and Sun Sports, pro and college teams around the state are rallying behind the campaign. Throughout the week, Tobacco Free Florida will be the focal point of eight sporting events for the following teams: Orlando Magic (Feb. 27 on FOX Sports Florida), Florida State University men’s basketball (Feb. 28), Florida Marlins (March 1), Miami HEAT (March 2 on Sun Sports), Tampa Bay Rays (March 3), Florida Panthers (March 5 on FOX Sports Florida), Tampa Bay Lightning (March 6 on Sun Sports) and University of Florida men’s basketball (March 7).
Smoking is responsible for upwards of 29,000 deaths in Florida each year, and thousands more suffer from cancer, heart disease and other chronic diseases related to tobacco use and second-hand smoke. Nearly one out of every five adults smokes, and 28.8 million packs of cigarettes are bought or smoked by youth in Florida each year.
To pledge to be tobacco free, visit www.tobaccofreefloridaweek.com.
