Reality Check to Denounce Discounts on World No Tobacco Day

Denounce Discounts on World No Tobacco Day

Reality Check partners across New York State will host events later this month for World No Tobacco Day. Every year, RC celebrates World No Tobacco Day as an opportunity to tell the tobacco industry that kids have seen enough tobacco marketing in their neighborhoods. The tobacco industry invests billions of dollars on tobacco marketing in retail stores including discounts to make tobacco more affordable.  These discounts are deadly because they bring death and disease to the people who use tobacco including more than 100,000 youth in New York State.

World No Tobacco Day on May 31 is an international day of advocacy sponsored by the World Health Organization.  It brings together people around the world to stand up against big tobacco and highlights strategies used to keep smokers from quitting and to recruit new customers, which are almost entirely youth. One key strategy of the tobacco industry is to spend billions of dollars each year to keep the price of tobacco as low as possible and negate the effect of the sales tax.  Smoking continues to be the single largest preventable cause of disease and premature death in the U.S., killing more than 23,600 New Yorkers every year.

Kick Butts Day Photo Gallery!

Check out some photos from successful Kick Butts Day events across New York State. To learn more about Kick Butts Day, visit http://www.kickbuttsday.org.

YAYA Matthew Jones with US Surgeon General Regina Benjamin

Kick Butts Day 2014

Kick Butts Day 2014

Kick Butts Day 2014

Kick Butts Day 2014

Kick Butts Day 2014

Kick Butts Day 2014!

Tomorrow is Kick Butts Day, a national day of activism sponsored by the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids that empowers youth to stand out, speak up and seize control against Big Tobacco. As a teacher, youth leader or health advocate, you can organize events to raise awareness of the tobacco problem, encourage youth to stay tobacco-free and urge strong action to protect kids from tobacco.

Reality Check of New York is proud to participate in Kick Butts Day each year, hosting countless events across the state in local schools and community venues in collaboration with numerous local community based organizations and youth groups.

Here is a quick preview of some of the local events planned for Kick Butts Day 2014 across the state:

Albany, Schenectady & Rensselaer Counties – Albany, NY
Capital Region Reality Check and the Capital District Tobacco Free Coalition have partnered with local community coalitions and youth organizations to collect 245 shoes for an exhibit to represent the 245 New York teens who become daily smokers every week, with tobacco marketing being a primary cause. This exhibit will be on display from 3-6PM at Crossgates Mall, where there will also be educational activities, games and ways to take action to “Kick Tobacco Marketing to the Curb.”

Madison, Oneida & Herkimer Counties – Canastota, NY
Reality Check Central will be hosting a press conference at Canastota Central School where youth will share their concerns about tobacco marketing in their community. Syracuse University will also release the latest findings of stores that sell tobacco products in Madison, Oneida, and Herkimer County. Reality Check Central will also be at Sangertown Mall from 3-6PM with information and visuals about tobacco and tobacco marketing.

Clinton, Franklin & Essex Counties – Plattsburgh, NY
Reality Check will be “Airing Out Big Tobacco’s Dirty Laundry” at Champlain Centres Mall from 4:30-7:30PM. Reality Check members will display the numerous ways that the tobacco industry has lied, deceived and manipulated. They will also be taking over the airwaves on their local radio station, WIRY.

Hamilton, Fulton & Montgomery Counties – Canajoharie, NY
Reality Check will “Air Out Big Tobacco’s Dirty Laundry” at the Canajoharie Family Fun Day in addition to providing information about how their community can fight back against tobacco marketing.

Delaware, Otsego & Schoharie Counties – Delhi, NY
Reality Check youth at Delaware Academy are putting together a visual display in their school of the “Cost of Smoking” using visuals and money to show the cost and dangers of smoking. The money and displays will be donated to a local charity in the Village of Delhi. Reality Check youth have also been gracing the airwaves with their anti-tobacco industry message.

Staten Island, NY
All local tobacco control partners, including Reality Check, will participate in a Press Conference at a local high school, highlighting the ways that tobacco and tobacco marketing continue to affect young people. All tobacco control partners will share the work that they are doing locally and the work that still needs to be done. The Borough President will also be in attendance to speak to how tobacco is an ongoing problem in Staten Island.

Putnam County – Poughkeepsie, NY
Reality Check is partnering with the Hudson Valley Tobacco Free Partners on an event at the Poughkeepsie Galleria. Youth will participate in a flash mob about tobacco marketing in addition to having interactive displays and games.

Jefferson & Lewis Counties
Reality Check youth will outline 70 bodies in the snow to represent the 70 New Yorkers who die daily of tobacco related illnesses. They will also table at Salmon Run Mall in Watertown, NY on 3/22 where youth will educate their community.

Fame & Shame Awards Announced for International Week of Action

Smoking imagery in youth-rated movies is still common and a primary recruiter of teen smokers – just one of the many manipulative marketing tactics embraced by the tobacco industry.  Reality Check is joining youth around the world to create awareness about the way Hollywood encourages youth to smoke during the International Week of Action (February  24 to March 2), which coincides with the week leading up to the 86th Academy Awards.

For 10 years, Reality Check has been working to get Hollywood to eliminate smoking in youth rated movies with an “R” rating.

According to the Surgeon General’s 2014 Report, youth who are exposed to images of smoking in movies are more likely to smoke; those who get the most exposure to on-screen smoking are about twice as likely to begin smoking as those who get the least exposure. The report further states that actions that would eliminate the depiction of tobacco use in movies could have a significant effect on preventing youth from becoming tobacco users. PG-13 movies are the biggest concern since they accounted for nearly two-thirds of the smoking scenes adolescents saw on the big screen in 2012.

To celebrate International Week of Action and recognize the best and worst of smoke free movies, Reality Check youth from across New York State presented awards to movie studios, actors, and directors.

FAME AND SHAME AWARDS

FAME AWARDS:

1.  Walt Disney Studios
   Reality Check presents a 10^th Anniversary Fame Award to Walt Disney Studios for providing family entertainment with a commitment to protecting youth from tobacco imagery.  Tobacco incidents have almost disappeared from Disney’s G and PG movies.  We salute Walt Disney Studios for adopting a policy to keep smoking out of youth-rated movies and producing movies like “Saving Mr. Banks” without tobacco imagery despite the historical use of tobacco by the lead character, Walt Disney, played by Tom Hanks.

   

2. Stanton A. Glanz & Jono Polansky, Smoke Free Movies Network
   Reality Check presents a 10^th Anniversary Fame Award to Stanton A. Glanz and Jono Polansky of the Smoke Free Movies Network for their tireless dedication to working to protect youth from tobacco imagery in movies.  The Smoke Free Movies Network is a project of Stanton A. Glantz, PhD, professor of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) and director of the UCSF Center for Tobacco Control Research and Education.  Jono Polansky works with Professor Glanz and consults with UCSF on tobacco control strategy.  Together they use research, commentary and information about the deadly consequences of tobacco imagery in movies and its recruitment of young smokers to apply ongoing pressure on the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) to change its rating system and rate movies with smoking R.
   

   Stan Glantz

   

   Jono Polansky
3. National Association of Attorneys General & The New York State Attorney General’s Office
   Reality Check presents a 10^th Anniversary Fame Award to the National Association of Attorneys General and The New York State Attorney General’s Office in appreciation of their dedicated staff and resources to addressing tobacco imagery in youth-rated movies.  For more than 10 years, Attorneys General have been urging movie studios and the MPAA to reduce youth exposure to tobacco in movies.

SHAME AWARDS:

1. Film Director Woody Allen
   Reality Check presents a Shame Award to film director Woody Allen for his complete disregard for youth and their exposure to tobacco imagery in his movies.  As a director, Allen decides what appears on screen and could easily avoid the use of tobacco in youth-rated movies, but chooses not to.  His most recent and blatant support of tobacco came in 2013 when he cancelled the release of his film “Blue Jasmine” in India because he refused to air an anti-tobacco message prior to the film as required by India’s Ministry of Health

   

2. Actor Johnny Depp
   Reality Check presents a Shame Award to Actor Johnny Depp for allowing the popular animated character he voiced, Rango, to smoke in the movie by the same name. Rango is an animated film rated PG, intended for youth and widely seen by young audiences. This film included more than 60 smoking instances on screen including smoking by Rango, the hero and main character of the film.

   

3. Actor Leonardo DiCaprio
   Reality Check presents a Shame Award to Actor Leonardo DiCaprio for making smoking look cool on screen in the PG-13 rated movie “The Great Gatsby”.  While the novel “The Great Gatsby” only mentions smoking 8 times, this new 3D  version includes more than 150 smoking instances despite the reality that Americans smoked less in 1922 than they do now.  Tragically, this film has already delivered 2.5 billion tobacco impressions to audiences including youth.

   
   

The 10^th Anniversary Ultimate Shame Award:
Motion Picture Association of American (MPAA)

For 10 years, Reality Check has joined with other youth across the U.S. to encourage the MPAA to change its rating system to trigger an R rating when tobacco imagery is part of a film.  In 2007, the MPAA announced that it would “consider” smoking in its film ratings, but has yet to elevate the rating of any film for smoking or implement a policy where smoking generates an R rating similar to certain language. The MPAA has received thousands of communications from youth, parents and the public in support of a change to its rating system, yet youth-rated movies continue to deliver billions of tobacco impressions.  For not taking action in the best interest of our nation’s youth, shame on you, MPAA.

Reality Check feels it’s time for Hollywood to stop glamorizing smoking in the movies kids see. Movies that contain smoking should have an “R” rating because smoking on screen kills in real life.

The Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) has so far been unwilling to change its rating system to trigger an R rating when smoking imagery is part of a film.  Six of the leading movie studios, Sony, Disney, Time Warner, Comcast, Paramount and Viacom have voluntarily adopted smoke free movies policies, but have often failed to abide by their own policies.   One major studio, News Corporation (Fox) has failed to adopt a policy at all.

Parents, teachers and community members are encouraged to send a message to the movie industry that celebrities enticing kids to smoke has got to stop. Send an e-mail to the MPAA at ContactUs@mpaa.org.

2014 Legislative Day & Youth Advocate of the Year Success!

On Wednesday, February 12th, Reality Check youth advocates and tobacco control partners from around the state came together to tell their elected officials how crucial comprehensive tobacco control is. Tobacco control, including programs like Reality Check, #SavesLivesAndMoney.

Reality Check also hosted our 4th annual Youth Advocate of the Year Awards and announced our 2014 winners.

The Youth Advocate of the Year Award, sponsored by Reality Check of New York State, honors the outstanding work of youth advocates who have taken the lead in holding the tobacco companies accountable for marketing to youth. These young activists are fighting to protect their peers and their communities from the dangers of tobacco use through public education efforts, peer-to-peer training and outreach to policymakers.  Many have worked to change policies at the local and state level to limit tobacco industry access to youth, protect youth from exposure to tobacco marketing and imagery, and ensure that tobacco prevention programs continue to receive funding.  Their work inspires and motivates other young people to join in their advocacy efforts.

2014 YOUTH ADVOCATES OF THE YEAR

Statewide Winner – Charles Mazzeo

Matthew Jones

Daniel Hyatt

Kalie White

 

Central Region – Matthew Jones

Western Region – Daniel Hyatt

Capital Region – Kalie White

Shauna Rickett

Annie Wainwright

Hanna Rinn

Ken Dash

Elena Haskins

Honorable Mentions: Shauna Rickett, Annie Wainwright, Hanna Rinn, Ken Dash, Elena Haskins, Makenzie Wheatley (not pictured)

2014 YAYA Winners

2014 Central Region YAYA Matthew Jones

2014 Western Region YAYA Daniel Hyatt

2014 YAYA Charles Mazzeo

Charles Mazeo, winner of the 2014 Youth Advocate of the Year Award.

Check out more great photos from Legislative Day 2014 by our talented coordinator, Kyla McCormick.

Legislative Day 2014

Reality Check Heads to Legislative Day 2014

On Wednesday, February 12th, Reality Check groups from across New York State will travel to the capital to share how tobacco control #SavesLivesAndMoney. They will join tobacco control contractors from across the state to highlight the importance of reducing and preventing tobacco use.

While we have achieved large reductions in tobacco use, 16.2% of adults and 11.9% of high school students still smoke. In addition, progress is stagnant in some areas. While tobacco use rates have fallen from 2010 to 2012, the decrease is not significant and use of other tobacco products by youth has increased. Certain populations in New York remain relatively untouched – those reporting poor mental health, an income of under $25,000 and an education below a H.S. diploma have significantly higher tobacco use rates. An adequately funded tobacco control program would reach ALL New Yorkers.

Funding for the New York State Tobacco Control Program, including Reality Check, has been cut in half since 2006. In addition, New York generates more than $2 billion in tobacco revenues annually, but uses only a fraction to help smokers quit and keep kids from starting – where is the money?

Programs like Reality Check matter. Our youth are excited to head to the capital and let their Senators and Assembly members know that tobacco control #SavesMoneyAndLives. Reality Check members will meet with their elected officials in addition to participating in various activities throughout the day.

We will also host our 2014 Youth Advocate of the Year Awards, where we will honor the outstanding work of Reality Check youth advocates. We will honor one statewide winner and regional winners for the Central, Capital, MARO region and Western region.

CVS Announces Plan to Cease Sale of Tobacco Later This Year

Reality Check is beyond excited that CVS Caremark will become the first national drugstore chain to drop tobacco in October this year. CVS deserved to be praised for prioritizing the health of their customers over profit, and we aren’t the only ones who think so. President Barack Obama, a former smoker, praised CVS, saying in a statement the move will help wider efforts to “reduce tobacco-related deaths, cancer, and heart disease, as well as bring down healthcare costs.”

We hope that additional retailers step up to the plate and follow suit, because tobacco and pharmacies just don’t mix.

Click here for more information.

Mad Men Without Smoking on Ellen

On Thursday, November 21st, the Ellen Degeneres Show not only gave American Cancer Society’s annual Great American Smokeout a shout out but also referenced smoke free media. The show did a parody of popular TV show Mad Men, replacing cigarettes in smoking scenes with party horns.

We like this version MUCH better, since evidence has shown that the more smoking youth see on screen, the more likely they are to smoke.

Interested in learning more about our work with smoke free media? Visit our smoke free media page!

Indian Cancer Surgeon’s Open Letter to Woody Allen

Indian Cancer Surgeon’s Open Letter to Woody Allen

“Woody Allen refused to allow the release of his comedy-drama Blue Jasmine in India because he objected to the anti-tobacco ads required by the Indian government to play before and during movies that features characters smoking. It caused quite a media storm with many from Bollywood including the likes of Kabir Bedi and Shoojit Sircar who felt these ads infringe the freedom of expression of filmmakers. In reply, Dr. Pankaj Chaturvedi, a cancer surgeon at Tata Memorial Hospital, who deals with cancer patients every single day and is a vehement anti-tobacco campaigner, writes an open letter to the talented director.”

Click the link to read Dr. Chaturvedi’s letter to Woody Allen. To learn more about smoke free movies, visit our smoke free media page or visit http://www.smokefreemovies.ucsf.edu.