Reality Check

Who We Are

Reality CheckReality Check is a youth-led movement within the New York State Tobacco Control Program that is committed to exposing the manipulative and deceptive marketing practices of the tobacco industry. The state wide youth initiative strives to change the social norms regarding tobacco by de-normalizing and de-glamorizing tobacco, tobacco use and the tobacco industry. We are NOT against smokers… We are against the industry that markets tobacco.

THE INDUSTRY
Tobacco advertising focuses on the needs of adolescents—their desire for independence and popularity—and even brief exposure to tobacco advertising can change their attitudes toward smoking. Tobacco use is still the single largest cause of preventable death in the United States. And, although many people have stopped smoking, more than 4,000 young people smoke their first cigarette each day.

REALITY CHECK GOALS AND INITIATIVES
Smoke Free Movies – Eliminating smoking and tobacco imagery from movies rated G, PG, and PG-13 that contain smoking or tobacco imagery product placement.

Point of Sale/ Retail initiative – Increase the number of retail tobacco stores that have a written policy prohibiting Tobacco Company or tobacco product advertising.

Smoke Free Outdoors – Increase the number of local laws, regulations and voluntary policies that prohibit tobacco use in outdoor areas including public parks, beaches, playgrounds, clubs, college campuses, schools and outdoor areas of businesses.

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