Jack Britt’s Eric Johnson

N.C. STEP All-Star of the Year

Johnson is the state’s best football player who has pledged not to use spit tobacco  

CANTON , NC – The North Carolina Spit Tobacco Education Program (N.C. STEP) is proud to announce that Jack Britt High School ’s Eric Johnson is the N.C. STEP “No Spit” All-Star of the Year as the best high school football player in the state who has pledged not to use spit tobacco. During the campaign, more than 24,764 fans from across the state voted.  In the voting for all-star of the year, Johnson received 4,542 votes to beat Holly Springs star J.J. Graves, who had 3,556 votes.  As the N.C. STEP All-Star of the Year, Johnson will receive a one-of-a-kind ring design by Jostens, Inc., the jeweler for the greatest athletes in the world, including the defending Super Bowl Champion Pittsburgh Steelers. Click here to view the ring that will be presented to Johnson as the NC. STEP All-Star of the Year

Johnson was a finalist after he earned the week one N.C. STEP “No Spit” All-Star of the Week honor.  In a 69-19 win over Hoke County , Johnson rushed for 271 yards and a school-record six touchdowns.  More recently, Johnson rushed for 174 yards and scored two touchdowns in Jack Britt’s playoff win over Leesville Road .  After 13 games this season, Johnson has rushed for 1,378 yards with 27 touchdowns, averaging 125.3 yards per game for the Buccaneers.   

All finalists for the N.C. STEP “No Spit” All-Star of the Year Award pledged not to use spit or smokeless tobacco, understanding that smokeless does not mean harmless, as spit tobacco contains more than 28 cancer-causing agents.  These agents are present in cigarettes, cigars, smoke, and all forms of smokeless tobacco, including spit, snuff, and chew.  To be eligible for the honor, all nominees for the weekly honor made the healthy lifestyle choice not to use spit tobacco.  

In the Oral Health America 2006 Spit Tobacco Report Card, the nation received a “D” for the use of spit tobacco.  That means between 12 to 20 percent of all high school males in the country have used spit tobacco in the last 30 days.  The campaign intends to educate young people in North Carolina about the dangers of spit tobacco and reinforce the healthy, lifestyle choice not to use tobacco products, especially spit tobacco.  

NC STEP is an effort designed to educate North Carolinians about the dangers of spit tobacco.  Each year, between 10 to 16 million Americans put their health at risk by using spit tobacco.  NC STEP’s mission is to prevent people, especially young people, from starting to use spit tobacco. 

The North Carolina Spit Tobacco Education Program (STEP) is funded through a grant from the North Carolina Health Wellness Trust Fund (HWTF). The NC Health and Wellness Trust Fund makes North Carolina stronger, both physically and economically, by funding programs that promote preventive health. Created by the General Assembly in 2000 to allocate a portion of North Carolina 's share of the national tobacco settlement, HWTF has invested $199 million to support preventive health initiatives and $102 million to fund prescription drug assistance programs. For more information, please visit www.HealthWellNC.com.  

Download the NC STEP "No Spit" All-Star Pledge

The North Carolina Spit Tobacco Education Program is funded through a grant from the North Carolina Health Wellness Trust Fund (HWTF).  The N.C. Health and Wellness Trust Fund makes North Carolina stronger, both physically and economically, by funding programs that promote preventive health.  Created by the General Assembly in 2000 to allocate a portion of North Carolina ’s share of the national tobacco settlement, HWTF has invested $199-mllion to support preventive health initiatives and $102-million to fund prescription drug assistance programs.  For more information, visit www.HealthWellNC.com.   

“The Sports Flash” (TSF) Radio Network delivers customized, local sports reports to 174 network affiliates in 13 different states, reaching more than 2.5-million listeners each week.  In North Carolina , TSF Radio Network has 29 affiliates.  TSF Radio Network will provide the day-to-day management of the campaign and has managed “Tobacco Free” or “No Spit” campaigns for many organizations, including:  Get Healthy Kentucky; South Carolina Department of Health & Environmental Control; Montana ’s Tobacco Use Prevention Program; and Wyoming Through With Chew.