More than 200 teens part of innovative ‘overnight’ anti-smoking youth conference
Smokers’ lives are organized around their nicotine addiction. Forfeiting control to addiction is at the root of a new, original program to stop Arizona youth from smoking and an ‘on-the-ground’ extension of the public service campaign, http://www.venomocity.com.
Today and tomorrow, June 11, the Bureau of Tobacco and Chronic Disease (BTCD) will immerse more than 200 youth from across the state, ages 13-17, into the 2011 anti-smoking youth conference being held at Arizona State University, Old Main Building, Tempe, Ariz. The first-ever 24-hour hands-on learning environment, called The Experiment. Brought to you by addiction. is packed with workshops and presenters.
“Today, teens know about the health impacts of smoking, there is a lot of information they can access,” said Wayne Tormala, Chief, Arizona Department of Health Services Bureau of Tobacco & Chronic Disease. “But, the health dangers may feel ‘far away’ to this audience so explaining the ‘instant impact’ of nicotine addiction leaves an impression right now. ”
On Saturday, they will wake up to a traditional Navajo tobacco ceremony, adapted for the attendees, presented by a Navajo tribal member.
Participating teens will preview a series of new interactive ‘choose your path’ videos that make saying ‘no’ cool. Designed especially for ‘Generation Net,’ participants will have a chance to create their own versions at the conference. The videos can be seen at http://www.venomocity.com.
Phoenix Theatre will unveil 15-minute plays, “Big Tobacco in the Boardroom” a theatrical performance and lab to explain big tobacco marketing tactics and “Anatomy of a Smoker” a theatrical performance and lab to explain the health effects of tobacco use, ‘live’ from a ‘coroner’s’ lab.
National anti-smoking advocate, Mackenzie Lowry will talk about how losing her dad to lung cancer inspired her work on a cigarette tax increase in her state. A Harvard graduate, she founded the Institute of Politics Tobacco Control Policy Group. Glamour magazine honored Mackenzie as one of the Top 10 College Women, coining her as “The Politician.”
Kids who weren’t able to join us in person, can catch some of the The Experiment in real-time online, at http://venomocity.com/experiment or follow it on Twitter #addictionexperiment.
Event organizers plan to stay in touch with all of the attendees and will encourage organization of anti-smoking efforts in their communities.
