 This year’s Phoenix Open, a regular PGA Tour stop, will be known for more than just golf. The tournament will also be known for its absence of cigar vendors. Although cigar smoking was permitted, no cigars were sold.
The Phoenix Open, which took place January 28 – 31, 1999, sold a sponsorship to the Arizona Department of Health Services (instead of to cigar makers) for $39,000. This allowed the agency to offer information on quitting smoking as well as ashtray kiosks located around the course, which invited smokers to extinguish their cigars.
The agency’s anti-smoking message had a lighthearted approach, in keeping with the entertainment aspect of the event. At the ashtray kiosks, smokers were reminded to quit with the taglines, "It’s not like we’re asking you to give up golf," and "Hear the crowd roar when you put your cigar out." The agency’s education booth offered smoking cessation literature with the theme, "Take a swing at quitting."
Cigars were targeted because of their increasing popularity. In the past several years, cigar makers have sold cigars at the Phoenix Open, as well as other tournaments, hoping to attract the game’s traditionally upscale audience.
Next up for the agency – a similar presence at the Tucson Open, scheduled for February 25 – 28, 1999. In addition to the ashtray kiosks and information for adults, the agency will also have information for teens about the dangers of cigars.
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