Sparks to Wear ‘Never Stop Quitting Smoking’ Pre-Game Shirts on 8/15

LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Sparks, in partnership with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health), will host a roundtable discussion with Los Angeles County Director of Public Health Dr. Barbara Ferrer, Sparks Head Coach Derek Fisher, and former MVP’s Candace Parker and Nneka Ogwumike on Aug. 17 at 5 p.m. PT. The event will be streamed live on the Sparks Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and LinkedIn accounts.

The conversation will focus on overcoming the challenges of COVID-19, social justice initiatives, and Public Health’s anti-vaping and anti-smoking campaigns, all issues that disproportionately impact communities of color.

In addition, the entire Sparks team will wear Never Stop Quitting Smoking pre-game T-shirts on Aug. 15 against the Indiana Fever at 10 a.m. PT on ESPN.

“The Sparks are especially proud of our partnership with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health,” Sparks President & COO Danita Johnson said. “Not only have we joined with them to help discourage youth from smoking and vaping, but we will continue to assist their crucial work fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.”

The Sparks and Public Health have an 18-month partnership centered around anti-vaping and anti-smoking campaigns and community activism. In addition, the Sparks have worked alongside Public Health in their work to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus and advocate for people to wear masks, wash their hands, and practice social distancing.

“As we cheer on the LA Sparks this season, we are especially pleased to have the opportunity to partner with them to raise awareness on the injustices systematic racism has on health outcomes for many Angelenos,” said Barbara Ferrer, PhD, MPH, MEd, Director of Public Health. “This season we are focused on helping people quit smoking and vaping, especially among people who have been targeted by the tobacco industry for far too long by the industry’s deceitful marketing practices. We want to encourage people to never stop quitting, that it’s normal to try many times before someone quits for good. It is possible to live a tobacco-free life.”

The LA Sparks are currently in their 24^th season, being played at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, and are pursuing their fourth WNBA championship.