Truth Initiative partners with Cotopaxi on 25 Questival adventure races

WASHINGTON — Truth, one of the largest and most effective youth smoking prevention campaigns, and Cotopaxi, the outdoor gear company on a mission to alleviate poverty, on Friday joined forces to make positive changes in local communities and take a stand against tobacco.



Truth will join Cotopaxi for 25 of their 2017-2018 Questival adventure races, kicking off the partnership at the Aug. 11 event in Philadelphia. They will launch a limited-edition Luzon Daypack designed by Brooklyn-based artist Kevin Lyons.



"We're excited to partner with truth at our upcoming Questivals and unveil new, limited-edition Luzon Daypacks designed by Kevin Lyons," stated Davis Smith, CEO of Cotopaxi. "We strongly align with the truth mission of making a positive, lasting impact on local communities."



At each Questival stop, participants embark on a 24-hour outdoor adventure race while also doing service in their local communities. As part of upcoming events, truth will arm participants with facts and empower them to make their own informed choices about tobacco use. To illustrate these facts, attendees visiting the truth zone will engage in a series of mental and physical challenges to win truth merchandise like t-shirts, pins and sunglasses.



Additionally, participants at the Philadelphia Questival will receive the limited-edition truth x Cotopaxi by Kevin Lyons Luzon Daypack – offering creative inspiration to be the generation that ends smoking for good. The truth x Cotopaxi by Kevin Lyons Luzon Daypack will also be available online for purchase for a limited time at Cotopaxi.com.



"While the teen smoking rate is at an historic low of 6%, tobacco rates in communities differ based on where you live, whom you love and even who you are, making change at the community level an essential part of our movement," said Eric Asche, chief marketing officer of Truth Initiative, the national public health organization that directs and funds the truth campaign. "Cotopaxi's commitment to social good and improving communities makes them the perfect partner to join us in engaging young people to help us end tobacco use nationwide."