Notre Dame High School sophomores Benjamin Streeter and Krysta Hansen, as well as junior Maddie Payton -- local leaders in exposing what they see as the manipulative and deceptive marketing tactics of the tobacco industry -- have just returned from the annual Reality Check Youth Summit at Cazenovia College in Central New York.
During leadership workshops and teambuilding exercises with 150 other youth from around the state they made plans for raising awareness in their own communities about the impact tobacco marketing has on youth.
“The average age of a new smoker in New York is just 13 years old, and no one wants to see a kid start smoking,” Maddie said.
“It seems like tobacco companies are trying to deceive kids with packaging that looks like candy and thousands of flavors that appeal to kids like strawberry and bubble gum,” Krysta said.“The more kids see tobacco the more likely they are to start smoking. And we’re here to say we’ve seen enough tobacco in our communities.”
“Tobacco companies put most of their marketing in stores where 75 percent of teens shop at least once a week,” Benjamin said. “We’re speaking out in our communities and all across the state to protect youth from tobacco marketing and the dangers of tobacco use.”
Youth Demonstrated How Bright Colors, Tobacco Displays Appeal to Kids
During the Youth Summit, Reality Check members demonstrated how they believe tobacco companies’ deceptive marketing draws kids to tobacco products, using large displays of what would normally be considered kid-friendly items including large cutouts of:
- A kids’ birthday cake with cigarettes for candles, and a banner reading “The average age of a new smoker is 13”;
- A crayon box with cigarettes instead of crayons that reflect startling statistics about tobacco marketing and youth smoking;
- A claw machine filled with packs of cigarettes instead of stuffed animals and toys;
- An ice cream truck promoting tobacco product sales rather than ice cream sales; and
- Open packs of cigarettes on the blades of a working 8’ tall x 5’ wide mini-golf windmill.
At each demonstration, Reality Check youth explained how the supposed kid-friendly exhibits grab the attention of passersby just as the tobacco industry is grabbing youth’s attention with tobacco marketing in stores.
Reality Check empowers youth to become leaders in their communities in exposing what they see as the manipulative and deceptive marketing tactics of the tobacco industry.
The organization’s members produce change in their communities through grassroots mobilization and education.
Reality Check in this area is affiliated with Tobacco-Free Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming counties (TF-GLOW).
#SeenEnoughTobacco is an online campaign with the goal of safeguarding children from the billions of dollars of hard-hitting tobacco promotions in places where children see them.
Parents, community leaders and others interested in protecting youth are encouraged to learn more at SeenEnoughTobacco.org.
