New York State Youth 13-18 Invited to Video Contest

Local group holds youth video contest about the impact of smoking in movies

The more young people see smoking on screen, the more likely they are to start smoking

Rochester, NY 1/19/22 Reality Check invites youth ages 13-18 to participate in a contest aimed at shining a spotlight on the tobacco industry’s use of smoking imagery on-screen to normalize and glamorize tobacco use. The statewide winning video will be highlighted on the Reality Check and Tobacco-Free NY websites and promoted through social media.

The University of California San Francisco’s Smoke-Free Media ‘What is Hollywood Hiding from Parents Action Toolkit’ explains, “Big Tobacco secretly bought its way on screen for decades. The U.S. entertainment industry still refuses to give parents and audiences advance warning before exposing kids to tobacco imagery that is proven to recruit millions of new young smokers and kill them as adults. Tobacco on screen is the single biggest media risk to children and teens. Hollywood has known of the danger since at least 2003. Yet movie studios and TV producers have never updated their rating systems to even mention smoking or tobacco. They are concealing toxic content. Ratings, warnings, and TV parental controls all need to be reinforced to stop tobacco addiction from trapping another generation. With the streaming revolution now underway, it’s easier than ever for kids to watch movies and TV shows packed with toxic tobacco content. And, the more young people see smoking on screen, the more likely they are to start smoking.”

“This video competition gives young people across New York the opportunity to become involved in a Reality Check priority initiative.,” explains Kristina Donders, Reality Check Youth Ambassador of the Year for 2021. “It is projected that on-screen smoking will kill two million U.S. Children and teens alive today. This is a campaign that saves lives. We are looking forward to seeing what youth have to say about this in their videos.”

Teens throughout the region and the state are challenged to create a 60-second video exposing the tobacco industry’s manipulative tactics within the entertainment industry. Tobacco imagery is used to promote and glamorize smoking and e-cigarette use. Judging will be based on quality, creativity and effectiveness, and accuracy of messages. Each video must have the following key facts and a minimum of one key statement from the following:

Key Facts:

• Youth who are exposed to images of smoking in movies are more likely to smoke. (US Surgeon General)
• It is projected that on-screen smoking will kill two million U.S. children and teens alive today. (US Center for Disease Control)
• R-rating future movies with smoking would reduce the youth smoking rate in the United States by 18%. (US Center for Disease Control)

Key Statements:

• One little letter could save a million lives. Rate smoking R.
• Protect youth from on-screen exposure to tobacco.
• Smoking in movies kills in real life.

Video submissions are due March 9, 2022. One video will be recognized as the statewide winner. This video will live on www.realitycheckofny.com and highlight the issue through the lens of New York State youth. Four regional winning videos will also be awarded and recognized at the regional level. All winners will be announced on March 27, 2022 as part of the New York Tobacco Control Program’s annual Statewide Legislative Education Day. All awards will be recognized at regional press events (dates and locations to be determined) and promoted through local media outlets. All youth participating in the contest will receive a Reality Check Swag Bag.

For complete contest rules and to submit entries, visit www.realitycheckofny.com. For questions specific to the contest, please email tobaccofree@cvfamilycenter.org.

Reality Check is a youth-led movement in New York State that empowers youth to become leaders in their communities in exposing what they see as the manipulative and deceptive marketing tactics of the tobacco industry. Since 2001 the organization’s members produce change in their communities through grassroots mobilization and education. Twenty-six Reality Check programs covering all 62 counties of New York State are funded by the New York State Department of Health Bureau of Tobacco Control and utilize evidence-based public health strategies to reduce the impact of tobacco use and promotion and create healthy places to live, work and play.

Contact Lexi Popovici at Alexandra.popovici@lung.org for more information about the Smoking and Health Action Coalition or Reality Check in Livingston and Monroe Counties.