2016 PRIDE Festival to go smoke-free

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
October 20, 2016

LAS VEGAS – The Southern Nevada Health District’s LGBT tobacco prevention program CRUSH and the organizers of the 2016 PRIDE Festival are pleased to announce this year’s two-day festival will be smoke-free. In addition to traditional cigarettes, e-cigarettes and vaping products will not be allowed at the festival.

“We’re thrilled that PRIDE is joining efforts with CRUSH in promoting a healthy, smoke free lifestyle among our community,” said Ernie Yuen, Las Vegas PRIDE Executive Director. “Being able to provide a healthy environment free from smoke at this signature event is a right step to making a big positive difference in the health of our LGBT community including our families, friends, and allies.”

The Pride events are noon – 10 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 22 and 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 23 at Sunset Park and will include two stages, food vendors, and family and pet-friendly activities. For information about the 2016 event, visit Las Vegas Pride Festival. For information about CRUSH visit www.SoCrush.com

CRUSH is a decade-old tobacco prevention program targeted to the LGBT community between the ages of 18 and 24, a key demographic for tobacco companies. The program uses outreach strategies that include hosting smoke-free events and activities implemented after a 2005 Clark County Adult Tobacco Survey revealed that smoking rates for LGBT community members was disproportionally higher than other groups.

“PRIDE events across the country are acknowledging the effects of smoking on our communities and are taking steps to educate people about how to protect themselves and their families. CRUSH will be on hand to provide information and resources to help people quit smoking,” said Malcolm Ahlo, Southern Nevada Health District Health Educator and CRUSH Coordinator.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the rate of tobacco use among LGBT adults is higher at about one in four individuals or 23.9 percent; among heterosexual adults, it is one in six adults or 16.6 percent. The tobacco industry spends $80.3 million marketing its products in Nevada with a significant portion specifically targeting the LGBT community.

Smoking is responsible for more deaths in the United States than alcohol, HIV/AIDS, automobile crashes, or illegal drug use. Nevadans who are interested in quitting smoking can call the Nevada Tobacco Quitline at 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669) for assistance. The QUIT Line offers information on cessation programs, counselors and medications to help quit smoking.

Additional information about smoking in the LGBT community, advice, and resources for quitting smoking, as well as information about how people can get involved in efforts to reduce smoking rates in Las Vegas, can be found on the CRUSH website at: www.SoCrush.com.

The Southern Nevada Health District serves as the local public health authority for Clark County, Boulder City, Henderson, Las Vegas, Mesquite and North Las Vegas. The agency safeguards the public health of the community’s residents and visitors through innovative programs, regulations, and initiatives focused on protecting and promoting their health and well-being. More information about the Health District, its programs, services, and the regulatory oversight it provides is available at www.SNHD.info. Follow the Health District on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.