Problem/Objective: As the Washington Tobacco Prevention and Control Program entered its sixth year of implementation, the program set out to find new and non-traditional partnerships to disseminate its prevention messages. The goals were to continue to educate youth statewide about the health dangers and social consequences of tobacco use; but also to further involve trusted people such as coaches and parents in youths' lives in relaying anti-tobacco messages.

Methods: In 2006 the TPCP forged a partnership with the Washington State Youth Soccer Association (WSYSA) to develop a Tobacco-Free Team Program. WSYSA represents 10,000+ youth soccer teams statewide with 125,000 youth ages 4-19, with nearly 90% being age 14 or younger. This hits a key demographic of youth ages 9-14 who have not yet tried tobacco and/or are susceptible to experimentation.

Results: Successes included the following - • Updating WSYSA Code of Ethics with language about coaches taking an active role in educating their players about tobacco use • 500 teams received packets with anti-tobacco shirt patches for players and lanyards for coaches • Full page ads and articles placed in 93,000-circulation bi-monthly Play On! magazine • Increased number of outdoor tobacco-free playing fields • Three e-mail blasts sent to 9,000 coaches • Increased traffic to www.SeeThruTheSmoke.com youth advocacy Web site from 2005 to 2006 of over 70%.

Conclusions: Sponsorship of statewide youth athletic associations is a meaningful, worthwhile partnership that adds value in spreading the anti-tobacco message beyond schools and television.