Empower youth to lead in the battle against tobacco
Reality Check is a youth-led movement in New York State that empowers young people to become community leaders. Supported by adults, the initiative exposes the manipulative and deceptive marketing tactics of the tobacco industry.
Exposing Tobacco Industry Influence in Media
Reality Check aims to expose how the tobacco industry normalizes and glamorizes tobacco use through media. With teens consuming nearly 11 hours of unregulated media daily, the industry leverages this access to influence young audiences.
Attorney General Letter to Media companies
University of California Research
While You Were Streaming (Truth Initiative)
Exposing Tobacco Marketing Tactics
Reality Check exposes the tobacco industry’s tactics to normalize tobacco use in New York communities. By making products sweet, cheap, and easily accessible, they aim to recruit new young smokers and retain current ones. With over half a million dollars spent daily in New York on marketing, primarily through colorful in-store advertising, the industry targets youth effectively.
Standardized Tobacco Assessment for Retail Settings
Advocating for Tobacco-Free Spaces
Reality Check educates communities on the benefits of tobacco-free and smoke-free spaces, highlighting the hazards of tobacco litter and secondhand smoke. Youth leaders raise awareness and encourage action, contributing to over 500 municipalities in New York State establishing tobacco-free outdoor recreation areas.
Uniting Against Tobacco Industry Lies
Reality Check youth leaders collaborate nationwide to expose the truth about the commercial tobacco industry’s practices. They help organize and participate in national events, particularly those related to tobacco industry shareholders meetings.
Help Quitting
Drop The Vape – Text-Based Quit Vaping Program for Youth and Young Adults
Drop the Vape is a New York State-specific free and anonymous text messaging program, designed by the Truth Initiative®, and created with input from teens, college students, and young adults who have attempted to, or successfully, quit vaping.
Text DropTheVape to 88709 to sign up to receive age-appropriate supportive and motivating text messages to support quit efforts. Drop the Vape also directs users to the New York State Quitline for free and confidential quit coaching via telephone, internet, and text, and free starter kits of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) for eligible New Yorkers. For more information on quitting vaping, visit Quit Vaping.
You have questions, we have answers.
What do Reality Check members do?
Reality Check works to make change. We educate and engage our communities to raise awareness about the negative impact of tobacco. We educate our key decision makers on how tobacco is marketed, and the impact that it has in our communities. Reality Check members are actively involved in public speaking, collecting data, and speaking with members of the news media.
Is Reality Check open to anyone?
Anyone 13 – 18 years in New York State is able to join Reality Check. There is a Reality Check program in every county in New York State. There are groups in schools and community centers. You can also be an individual member even if you are the only person from your school.
How can I get involved in Reality Check?
There are a few ways to become involved in Reality Check. If you know your school has a Reality Check group, listen to the announcements and attend their next meeting. If you are unsure if your school has Reality Check, you can contact us and a program coordinator from your area will contact you.
Can I still be involved if my school doesn’t have a club?
Yes. Many areas across the state have Reality Check groups at community centers and libraries. Just complete the online registration form and a program coordinator will contact you and will let you know of upcoming meetings or events. If other students at your school are also interested in forming a group, they may be able to help establish one.
What if I smoke, vape, or us other tobacco products?
Reality Check fights the tobacco industry, not users. We know that nicotine products in all forms (smoking, vaping, e-cigarettes, and chew) is addictive and we understand. Your voice is important to us.
Are you a leader in Reality Check – Be sure to apply for the Youth Ambassador of the Year Award. Find out more information HERE
