Buck Tobacco Sponsorship Project

The Buck Tobacco Sponsorship Project ("Buck Tobacco") is a successful campaign to restrict tobacco sponsorship of California rodeos. The project was developed in 2002 with funds from three litigation settlements with the spit tobacco industry. Buck Tobacco launched local-level projects in Monterey, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Stanislaus counties. Coordinated by a central office at the Public Health Institute, these projects pursue community-based policy campaigns to restrict tobacco promotion and use at rodeos and related events, including rodeo-themed "bar nights". Local policy objectives relate to tobacco use and the marketing and promotions of tobacco at rodeo-related events. The project aims to promote the removal of "adult-only venues" related to tobacco at rodeas, outdoor tobacco advertising at rodeos, the use of tobacco products at rodeos, and tobacco promotions at bars and other local venues. In 2005, Buck Tobacco began its work to expand into a resource center to develop new tools to address tobacco sponsorship of rodeos and related events while continuing to provide California advocates with new and existing technical assistance resources developed by Buck Tobacco.

The goal of the Buck Tobacco Sponsorship Project is to work with rodeo governing bodies throughout the state to establish written, voluntary policies restricting tobacco sponsorship at rodeos.

The Buck Tobacco Sponsorship Project has established programs in five Californian counties, each of which is working to implement local policies surrounding the use of tobacco at rodeos and tobacco sponsorship of rodeo events. In Monterey County, the program is working with the California Rodeo Salinas to adopt a policy stating that they will not accept tobacco company sponsorship or advertising at the rodeo. In addition, four bars and restaurants signed policies prohibiting tobacco sponsorship at their premises.