Why be tobacco free?
Well for starters you will be able to perform at your best.

Whatever your activity, if you steer clear of tobacco product like cigarettes, cigarillos, chew and dip you can do more without getting tired. You put less strain on your heart and that means you can give it your best. In sports it can mean the difference between keeping up and getting ahead of the competition.

Three local hockey teams that are out to win are the Barrie Colts, Midland Flyers and Huntsville Otters. Players on these teams have committed to be tobacco free because they want to be at the top of their game. Check out what they have to say and visit their websites for their next home game and see tobacco-free athletes in action.

Here is what two recently traded Barrie Colts players have to say about Tobacco-Free sport and recreation.

Colts LW Darren Archibald # 25	Colts Goalie Peter DiSalvo #35

Meanwhile at the North Simcoe Sports and Recreation Centre, the Midland Kelsey’s Flyers Junior C team is onside for tobacco free sports. Nov. 19, 2010 has been dubbed Tobacco-Free Sport Night at their game against the Stayner Siskens. At the game and throughout the year the team is doing their part to encourage others “to stay clear of tobacco industry products that hurt not help athletic performance.”

On the OHA Junior A Huntsville Otters team, six-foot forward Tyler McGee sums it up best when he explains his reason for wanting to be tobacco free. “Any player who is really committed to winning knows that dipping or smoking will kill their chances. Tobacco and sports just don’t mix.”

Goalie Thomas Shelly adds: “You hear of teams where many of the players use spit but you rarely hear about those guys going anywhere in hockey, it eventually catches up to them. You have to think smart and look after yourself.”

The team is the newest members of the tobacco free sports movement joining other teams at all levels across the province.