"We welcome our new partnership with the Lung Association, glad to be representing the community," said Russ Sheldon, chairman of the Poway Rodeo, who invited the public to attend Rodeo events taking place tonight and Saturday night and on Sunday Sept. 26 beginning at 2:30 p.m. "We're offering a free dance after the Friday and Saturday night events and Sunday is our Military and Kids Appreciation Day,&uot; Sheldon said. Military and kids can obtain free Rodeo admission this Sunday when accompanying an adult with one paid ticket.

The Poway Rodeo has been nominated for Best Small Rodeo in the USA and its leadership has been voted Best Rodeo Committee in California three times. "There a price to pay sometimes to be a leader," Sheldon said, referring to the short-term loss of cash that results from severing ties with US Smokeless Tobacco, a long-time sponsor.

On behalf of the health community, the rodeo community, and the youth of the area, I am pleased to present you with this plaque congratulating the Poway Rodeo for its vision and commitment to healthier communities," said Monica Sims, 16, who as Miss Teen Poway presented official congratulations to the Rodeo.

"The American Lung Association and tobacco free advocates support healthy rodeo policies. We see these actions as part of a growing trend that removes tobacco from the mainstream," said Debra Kelley, Vice President for Government Relations of the American Lung Association of San Diego & Imperial Counties. "From parks and beaches to PETCO Park and NASCAR, public health is winning the battle to marginalize tobacco acceptability.

"Poway is the first Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) Rodeo in Southern California to adopt a formal policy vis-à-vis tobacco that demonstrates added sensitivity to the health of kids and families and the concerns of the public health community," Kelley said. "It requires vision and leadership to take this step. We congratulate the rodeo leadership for this pioneering work."

The Buck Tobacco project has assisted the rodeo with cooperative advertising, promotional ticket purchases, and enthusiastic support. Buck Tobacco Poway Rodeo Steering Committee members include: Albert Ray, M.D., Kaiser Permanente of San Diego; Birgitta Hufnagel, M.D., Kaiser Permanente of San Diego, Poway resident; Chaplain (Chappy) David Walden, Pomerado Hospital; Lupe Fierro, Director of Community Outreach, Pomerado Hospital; Jody Wagner, Youth Leader, North Inland Community Prevention Program; Deb Pint, Tobacco Prevention Program, Poway Unified School District; Jim McBride, retired Public Affairs Director, Kaiser Permanente, San Diego, and Principal of McBride Communications, Poway resident; and Marianne Brown, Evaluation Consultant and Poway resident.

The Buck Tobacco project is funded by a grant from the Public Health Institute. It is part of a two-year statewide pilot program to reduce promotion of smokeless tobacco products at California rodeos. In addition to San Diego, Buck Tobacco projects are located in Monterey County, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara County and Stanislaus County. Statewide meetings, trainings, and a website (www.bucktobacco.org) are coordinated at a central office in Oakland. Click on the website's "Local Projects" for more information.

The American Lung Association works with the Tobacco-Free Communities Coalition (TFCC) in the San Diego region. TFCC is comprised of more than 30 community-based organizations with an interest in reducing smoking and tobacco usage rates among San Diego County children, youth, and adults.

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