Reality Check NY
Encyclopedia
Reality Check is a "youth-based, adult mentored" statewide youth program
operated by the New York State Department of Health
in Albany, New York
. Founded in 2001, the goal of the program is to educate "teens about the manipulative marketing practices used by the tobacco industry
to get teens to smoke." Thousands of youth
across New York have participated in Reality Check activities, which operate in partnership with more than a dozen youth organizations across the state.
Reality Check has been involved in combating depictions of smoking in movies, point of purchase advertisements, and tobacco advertising
found in the school setting. They have also participated in global campaigns against tobacco usage, particularly in Africa. They are also active across New York
, frequently protesting
at school board meetings and taking on the movie industry to end smoking in movies marketed to young people
. Their work against movie studio
s and Hollywood has drawn attention as for them as the "largest group to confront Hollywood" on tobacco usage in children's movies.
The program receives funding primarily from the state Department of Health. According to Cornell University
, "Reality Check is NOT against smokers. It is about getting people to understand how tobacco companies manipulate people into smoking and getting hooked."
As of July 31, 2009, the number of Reality Check grants that the New York State Department of Health has been decreased from 46 to 10. As a result of this Monroe, Livingston, Steuben, Chemung, Schuyker, Tompkins, Yates, Seneca, Wayne, Ontario, Cortland, Chenango, Otsego, Delaware, Greene, Ulster, Sullivan, Orange, Rockland, Suffolk, Dutchess, Columbia, Rensselaer, and Washington County are left with no funding for any type of program similar to Reality Checks. Many other counties have exponential decreases in their funding.
Youth program
Youth programs are particular activities designed to involve people between the ages of 10 and 25. Activities included are generally oriented towards youth development through recreation, social life, prevention, intervention, or education...
operated by the New York State Department of Health
New York State Department of Health
The New York State Department of Health, ', is the governmental body responsible for public health in the state of New York. The cabinet-level department is headed by the Health Commissioner, a position held since January 24, 2011 by Nirav R. Shah, M.D., M.P.H.....
in Albany, New York
Albany, New York
Albany is the capital city of the U.S. state of New York, the seat of Albany County, and the central city of New York's Capital District. Roughly north of New York City, Albany sits on the west bank of the Hudson River, about south of its confluence with the Mohawk River...
. Founded in 2001, the goal of the program is to educate "teens about the manipulative marketing practices used by the tobacco industry
Tobacco industry
The tobacco industry comprises those persons and companies engaged in the growth, preparation for sale, shipment, advertisement, and distribution of tobacco and tobacco-related products. It is a global industry; tobacco can grow in any warm, moist environment, which means it can be farmed on all...
to get teens to smoke." Thousands of youth
Youth
Youth is the time of life between childhood and adulthood . Definitions of the specific age range that constitutes youth vary. An individual's actual maturity may not correspond to their chronological age, as immature individuals could exist at all ages.-Usage:Around the world, the terms "youth",...
across New York have participated in Reality Check activities, which operate in partnership with more than a dozen youth organizations across the state.
Reality Check has been involved in combating depictions of smoking in movies, point of purchase advertisements, and tobacco advertising
Advertising
Advertising is a form of communication used to persuade an audience to take some action with respect to products, ideas, or services. Most commonly, the desired result is to drive consumer behavior with respect to a commercial offering, although political and ideological advertising is also common...
found in the school setting. They have also participated in global campaigns against tobacco usage, particularly in Africa. They are also active across New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, frequently protesting
Youth activism
Youth activism is when the youth voice is engaged in community organizing for social change. Around the world, young people are engaged in activism as planners, researchers, teachers, evaluators, social workers, decision-makers, advocates and leading actors in the environmental movement, social...
at school board meetings and taking on the movie industry to end smoking in movies marketed to young people
Youth
Youth is the time of life between childhood and adulthood . Definitions of the specific age range that constitutes youth vary. An individual's actual maturity may not correspond to their chronological age, as immature individuals could exist at all ages.-Usage:Around the world, the terms "youth",...
. Their work against movie studio
Movie studio
A movie studio is a term used to describe a major entertainment company or production company that has its own privately owned studio facility or facilities that are used to film movies...
s and Hollywood has drawn attention as for them as the "largest group to confront Hollywood" on tobacco usage in children's movies.
The program receives funding primarily from the state Department of Health. According to Cornell University
Cornell University
Cornell University is an Ivy League university located in Ithaca, New York, United States. It is a private land-grant university, receiving annual funding from the State of New York for certain educational missions...
, "Reality Check is NOT against smokers. It is about getting people to understand how tobacco companies manipulate people into smoking and getting hooked."
As of July 31, 2009, the number of Reality Check grants that the New York State Department of Health has been decreased from 46 to 10. As a result of this Monroe, Livingston, Steuben, Chemung, Schuyker, Tompkins, Yates, Seneca, Wayne, Ontario, Cortland, Chenango, Otsego, Delaware, Greene, Ulster, Sullivan, Orange, Rockland, Suffolk, Dutchess, Columbia, Rensselaer, and Washington County are left with no funding for any type of program similar to Reality Checks. Many other counties have exponential decreases in their funding.