FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Each day, more than 3,200 children under the age of 18 smoke their first cigarette and an additional 2,100 youth and young adults become daily cigarette smokers, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The New England Revolution and CVS Health agree these numbers are far too high, which is why the organizations are joining forces in an effort to score big for the next generation by kicking tobacco use on and off the field.
The Revolution and CVS Health invite all fans to pledge to #BeTheFirst generation to lead tobacco-free lives by quitting smoking, helping friends quit smoking, or to never start smoking. All fans who take the pledge at RevolutionSoccer.net/BeTheFirst will be automatically entered to win a variety of exclusive Revolution prizes.
CLICK HERE to watch the Revolution’s PSA supporting the #BeTheFirst initiative.
“We are proud to partner with CVS Health on their commitment to deliver a tobacco-free generation,” New England Revolution President Brian Bilello said. “We look forward to fans joining the Revs and pledging to stay tobacco-free throughout their lives and help kick smoking for good.”
Among the prizes and experiences available to those who take the #BeTheFirst pledge are autographed posters from Revolution players and pre-match field passes to watch team warmups from the sideline for four fans at every home game from August 20 through the remainder of the regular-season. In addition, fans can also win post-match field access following an upcoming home game or viewing access for an upcoming Revolution training session. Up to 100 individuals will also be invited to participate in a soccer clinic in the Empower Field House on a date to be determined. The clinic will include one-and-a-half hours of instruction from Revolution Academy coaches as well as a question-and-answer session with Revolution players.
CVS Health’s Be The First initiative, which launched in March 2016 and is funded through CVS Health and the CVS Health Foundation, includes a $50 million commitment over the next five years in the areas of comprehensive education, advocacy, tobacco control, and healthy behavior programming in partnership with other committed organizations such as the New England Revolution.
“As the nation’s largest pharmacy innovation company, CVS Health is committed to supporting smoking cessation and prevention initiatives to deliver the first tobacco-free generation,” said Eileen Howard Boone, Senior Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility and Philanthropy. “We’re proud to work with the New England Revolution to help fans of all ages kick tobacco-use for good and ensure those that don’t smoke, ever start.”
