Rolling out the red carpet to butt smoking out of youth movies
Group calls for all new movies with smoking to be rated 18a
TORONTO, Sept. 6, 2012 /CNW/ - The city is a buzz as many Hollywood heavyweights arrive for the Toronto International Film Festival. Just like stars ready for the paparazzi, youth from across Ontario will be dressed in their finest attire to host two red carpet events to educate parents and movie goers about the impact of tobacco use in children and teen-rated movies. Teams of youth are calling for all new movies rated for children and teens to be tobacco-free.
The issue of smoking being depicted in movies is a serious public health problem, as research conducted in the United States, New Zealand and Germany indicates an association between adolescents' exposure to on-screen smoking and smoking initiation. The problem is wide-spread as 85 per cent of all top-grossing movies featuring smoking were rated for children and teens (G, PG, 14A) in Ontario by the Ontario Film Review Board in 2011. Tobacco use is the number one cause of preventable disease and death in Ontario. Every year tobacco use kills more than 13,000 Ontarians. That equates to 36 people per day.
Who: | Youth Health Action Network members | |
What: | Red carpet event to promote butting out smoking from youth movies | |
When: | Saturday, September 8, 2012 | |
Time: | 12:00 to 3:00 p.m. | |
Locations: | ||
Location #1: Eaton Centre 220 Yonge Street, Toronto, M5B 2H1 (Inside mall, near Sears entrance) |
Location #2: St. Andrew's Church 73 Simcoe Street, Toronto, M5J 1W9 (Outside near intersection of Simcoe and King Streets) |
Interview and photo opportunities available
About Youth Health Action Network
Youth Health Action Network is a network comprised of youth 16 to 24 years of age who actively plan, coordinate and implement community based activities that engage youth to take action on tobacco and other health related issues, including physical activity, substance and alcohol misuse, mental health issues and nutrition. For more information, please visit www.smokefreemovies.ca/
SOURCE: Youth Health Action Network
or to book an interview opportunity, please contact:
Janvere Lyder, Toronto Public Health, 416 881-8379 (cell)
Joanne Di Nardo, Canadian Cancer Society, Ontario Division, [email protected], 416 937-5746 (cell)
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