The Los Angeles Sparks announced a 2018 partnership with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health) on their “No Excuses” campaign which focuses on issues involving tobacco and vaping. While the two have worked together previously, this partnership will focus heavily on community programs and impact.

“Healthy living and serving our local communities are pillars of the LA Sparks,” Los Angeles Sparks President and COO Christine Simmons said. “We are thrilled to be able to join forces with the team over at the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health to make a difference in the lives of Angelenos. Yes, we are a professional basketball team that wins championships, but this is bigger than basketball.”

Every month the Sparks will run programs throughout Los Angeles County to educate children and their families on issues surrounding tobacco and vaping. The Sparks will also include the “No Excuses” programming in their LA County “Parks After Dark” line-up. In addition to these events, the Sparks will also be participating in “National Night Out” in Willowbrook.

Public Health will be co-hosting a #WeAreGirls community event at the beginning of the 2018 school year. The event stems from the #WeAreWomen campaign and will feature high school ambassadors leading discussions on issues surrounding tobacco and vaping use amongst their peers and how they can avoid it.

“This partnership with the LA Sparks will allow us to reach deeper into the communities we serve,” said Barbara Ferrer, PhD, MPH, MEd, Director of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. “Almost 100% of smokers begin smoking before the age of 18. We have an opportunity now to encourage our youth to stay tobacco free even with the enticing vaping devices and flavored tobacco products that now saturate the market.”

The partnership will further Public Health’s goals to reach young people through development opportunities that encourage personal growth, education advancement and leadership skills.

ABOUT THE LOS ANGELES SPARKS

Founded in 1996, the Los Angeles Sparks play in the Western Conference of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). The Los Angeles Sparks have won three WNBA Championships (2001, 2002, 2016), and remain the only active team in the league to have won back-to-back titles and have qualified for the playoffs in 16 of their 20 seasons. Led by an ownership group led by five-time NBA Champion Earvin “Magic” Johnson and Mark Walter, the Los Angeles Sparks are dedicated to ensuring each home game at Staples Center has a championship level entertainment experience, while showcasing the best female athletes from around the world on the court. The team plays their regular season annually from May through September. To purchase tickets visit http://sparks.wnba.com/tickets/.