Friday, May 9, 2014

Rule the Rocks 7 Tour Winds Up Saturday: Competition tells youth: Big Tobacco is still after you



(Salt Lake City) – The Utah Department of Health Tobacco Prevention and Control Program’s (TPCP) way to quit campaign will wrap up its skateboarding/BMX competitions in Southern and Eastern Utah as part of its 7th annual Rule the Rocks event.

Youth of all skill levels have been competing  in one of three categories: beginner, intermediate or advanced for skateboarding or BMX. All entrants receive an event t-shirt, and the top three from each group win cash and gear. Entrance is free.

“The tobacco industry is constantly looking for new customers,” said TPCP marketing manager Adam Bramwell. “Youth, especially those in rural communities and with alternative interests, are on Big Tobacco’s radar, which is why we host events like Rule the Rocks.” Bramwell added, “Bringing a large scale competition to their town sparks a one-on-one dialogue for reminding them the best way to quit tobacco is to never start.”

The competition is exclusive to rural Utah. The final two days are May 9 in Moab and May 10 in Cedar City.

Ninety percent of adult smokers begin lighting up before age 19 and one in three will eventually die of their addiction. Quitting is different for everyone. Smokers are encouraged to find their way to quit by visiting waytoquit.org or by calling the Utah Tobacco Quit Line at 1.800.QUIT.NOW.

Rule The Rocks 7 Event Schedule:
Moab, Utah
Friday, May 9, 2014
The Skate Park in Swanny City Park
400 North 100 West
Registration: 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Competition:  5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Cedar City, Utah
Saturday, May 10, 2014
Exit 59 Skateboard Park
660 W. 945 N. (Bicentennial Park)
Registration: 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Competition: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
way to quit Rule the Rocks 7 is sponsored in part by Arkade Magazine and 50/50 BMX.

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The mission of the Utah Department of Health and Utah’s local health departments is to protect the public’s health through preventing avoidable illness, injury, disability and premature death, assuring access to affordable, quality health care, and promoting healthy lifestyles.