Tobacco-Free Sports is an international initiative which aims to reduce the harm of tobacco by addressing the relationship between tobacco use and sport. The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), International Olympic Committee (IOC), Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), Olympic Aid and other regional and local sports organizations joined The World Health Organization (WHO) in this campaign for Tobacco Free Sports.  A result of this initiative lead to many sporting events declaring themselves as tobacco-free such as the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympic Games and the 2002 FIFA World Cup in the Republic of Korea and Japan.

In 2003 the province of British Columbia launched its Tobacco- Free Sports initiative as part of the annual National Non-Smoking Week. The Ministry of Health has worked with the health authorities and the Alcohol-Drug Education Service (ADES) to support tobacco-free sports programs. The Health Minister, with athletes, in attendance formally launched this exciting initiative.

Tobacco Free Sports supports the British Columbia government's ActNow BC program goal to ‘Reduce Tobacco Use’. Alcohol-Drug Education Service, under contract with the Ministry of Health, has joined with Pacific Sport, the provincial Health Authorities and other partners with the goal of increasing the number of sporting organizations and facilities with Tobacco-Free Sport policies in the years leading to the 2010 Olympics.

As the 2010 Olympic Games approach British Columbia is in the unique position to showcase to the world that it is the healthiest jurisdiction to ever host the Olympics, by strengthening its position on tobacco through initiatives like Tobacco-Free Sports.

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