On July 16 over 180 Reality Check youth leaders and tobacco control staff from across New York joined with Ulster and Dutchess County youth at Colgate University for a "selfie chain" to support assigning an "R" rating to movies depicting smoking.
Reality Check, a program supported by HealthAlliance of the Hudson Valley's Tobacco Free Action Communities program, works to reduce youth exposure to tobacco marketing both in stores and on screen. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, giving an "R" rating to movies with smoking could reduce the number of teen smokers by approximately 18 percent, and prevent 1 million deaths from smoking among children alive today.
"Why would a movie studio not want to do that? I am proud to be here today raising awareness about this serious issue," said Bianca Gonzalez, 17, a Wallkill Senior High student. She joined others for the "selfie chain," in which an individual taking a self-photograph (selfie) with a friend, and the friend then takes a photo with the next person in line, continuing in a relay fashion. The teens took the pictures while holding signs stating, "One little letter can save a million kids."
Diane Moore, Reality Check Lead in Ulster, Dutchess, and Sullivan Counties, said that anyone can help make a difference.
"Spreading the message that, as parents, we want smoking out of movies that our kids are watching is important. But what a great moment it is to have so many young people insisting that smoking be kept out of their movies."
This year Disney increased the effectiveness of their policy by including most Disney films in their smoke-free movies policy. However, other studios like Time Warner, who recently advised their shareholders to vote "NO" to a similar proposal, still don't follow this philosophy.
An industry wide policy giving smoking an "R" rating would be even more effective than company policies. Already this year seven out of ten child-rated movies showing smoking came from independent film companies, therefore, a push for an industry standard, set by the Motion Picture Association of America, is imperative.
If you would like to advocate for this simple change, share your opinions on social media with the hashtag #RateSmokingR, and visit www.RealityCheckofNY.com to find your local Reality Check program.
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About Tobacco Free Action Communities
The New York State Department of Health, Bureau of Tobacco Control funds TFAC-Tobacco Free Action Communities in Ulster, Dutchess and Sullivan to increase support for New York State's tobacco-free norm through youth action and community engagement. Efforts are evidence-based, policy-driven and cost-effective approaches that decrease youth tobacco use, motivate adult smokers to quit and eliminate exposure to secondhand smoke. TFAC is part of HealthAlliance of the Hudson Valley. Visit www.tobaccofreeactioncommunities.org for more information.
About Reality Check
Reality Check, a program of Tobacco Free Action Communities, is a teen led, adult supported program working across New York State that aims to expose the manipulative and deceptive marketing tactics of the tobacco industry. The group strives to produce change in our communities through grassroots education, mobilization, political education and media campaigns.
About HealthAlliance of the Hudson Valley®
HealthAlliance of the Hudson Valley® is the alignment of HealthAlliance Hospital: Mary's Avenue Campus and Broadway Campus, as well as Margaretville Hospital, Mountainside Residential Care Center and Woodland Pond at New Paltz. As the parent organization with a unified governance structure, the goal of HealthAlliance is to strengthen the quality of care and bring forward enhanced technology to serve the present and future healthcare needs in the Hudson Valley. HealthAlliance and its affiliate facilities are committed to providing compassionate, patient-centered care and ensuring patient safety, privacy and dignity to all. For further information about HealthAlliance visit our web site at www.HAHV.org
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