KING COUNTY, WA - Public Health - Seattle & King County and The Seattle Sounders have joined under the theme "Second-Hand Smoke: Let's Clear the Air." The two are sponsoring an essay contest for fifth grade students and providing these students with a free Sounders' ticket for a game on Sunday, June 10th.

"Children are most likely to try their first cigarette in the 5th and 6th grades," said Greg Hewett, Program Manager for Public Health's Tobacco Prevention Program. "By participating in these healthy activities, children can 'Clear the Air' and learn about the effects of second-hand smoke."

In the last couple of months, Public Health and The Seattle Sounders have visited 5th graders to educate them on second-hand smoke. Second hand smoke contains over 4,000 chemicals and kills over 50,000 people in the United States each year. Students who breathe second-hand smoke are more likely to have ear infections, allergies, asthma and problems with lung development.

The Seattle Sounders will give students over 500 tickets for the Sunday game against the Minnesota Thunder. The students will be honored at half time and will march around the field carrying signs with tobacco free messages.

For more information on Public Health's Tobacco Prevention Program, please visit www.metrokc.gov/health/tobacco