The Truth about Tobacco
A new educational video for
7th - 12th grades
kids sat spellbound. He had them."
Truth About Tobacco
is a multimedia presentation which helps youth stay tobacco free,
and resist the onslaught of tobacco advertising and peer pressure.
Mr. Reynolds' anti-smoking talk also motivates students to make
more responsible choices about drugs and alcohol, and offers clear
examples of how to say no to friends who drink, smoke or use drugs.
He also stresses the importance of talking about problems, and
Reynolds opens the video with a moving personal story about his
own father's death from smoking, when he was 15. This opens the
hearts of many young viewers, and makes them more receptive to
the anti-tobacco lessons which follow in the video.
Reynolds impresses on students the extreme addictiveness of nicotine.
"If I could give you one message today, it would be that
cigarettes are addictive. Once you start, you may not be able
What if cigarette
advertising told the the truth?
video opens students' eyes to the reality of tobacco ad campaigns
which have targeted them. Mr. Reynolds uses humorous anti-smoking
spoofs of cigarette ads, such as Joe Camel, dying from cancer
in a hospital bed. In the new video, he shows the three overheads
the anti-smoking "Malboro Country" ad above, he points
out, "Here we see smokers gathered outside their office.
Why? Because they aren't welcome inside the building. Today, being
a nonsmoker is the norm. If you smoke, you're often just
not welcome around other people."
this powerful section, Mr. Reynolds shows the three anti-tobacco
overheads below. The before-and-after photos of Sean Marsee are
especially powerful and moving to student audiences watching the
video. In this section, Mr. Reynolds tells Sean's story, from
the time when he was a popular high school athlete, to discovering
his cancer, through the three operations which followed, each
removing more of his tongue, nose, jaw and neck muscles. He concludes,
"Sean died at age 19 from chewing tobacco -- disfigured, sad and
in terrible, unspeakable pain." Telling this heartbreaking story
is one of the most memorable parts of the video, and it consistently
captivates high school and middle school audiences. Several health
teachers have commented that Sean's story has had a strong and
lasting impact on their students.
Marsee at age 17
Marsee at age 19, just prior to his death
The above photos are shown in the video,
as Sean Marsee's sad story is told.
Students in the video react when they see
the photo of Sean with mouth cancer.
After telling this story, Mr. Reynolds goes on to reveal that
the only reason self-service displays of tobacco have been
placed on countertops everywhere is because the tobacco companies
pay each store a monthly fee, for every display of tobacco.
Often chewing tobacco is placed next to the candy or chewing gum!
The truth is, just a few years ago, almost noone was using chewing
tobacco. But many thousands of kids were deceived, and concluded
the stores put the displays on counters because the product was
really popular and selling well.
Seeing these displays daily for years, right on the countertop
at child eye level, made tobacco look like any other normal product.
Eventually these displays of "spit tobacco" got many
teens' curiosity up. Thousands tried it, and then got addicted,
Today anti-smoking column wrote that Patrick Reynolds' presentation
of Sean Marsee's story "was probably the most effective argument
I found online."
movies and TV
Brosnan, now an anti-smoking role model, posed for Lark
ads which ran in Japan. But Brosnan saw the error of his
ways, and has since shown tremendous leadership in the Hollywood
community. He swore he would smoke no more in his appearances
as James Bond. In a dramatic turnabout, he has set a strong
example for other stars, and has become a valuable ally
of anti-smoking groups fighting for the anti-tobacco cause.
Sheen's ad for Parliament ran in Japan. Shame on Mr. Sheen!
He set a bad example for youth who look up to him.
would not advocate censoring the movies," says Mr. Reynolds
in the video, "but let's deliver a dose of healthy shame
to Hollywood stars who have smoked in films." He names several
stars who have irresponsibly glamorized smoking on screen, and
creates a new perception of the stars who make smoking look cool
Truth About Tobacco
contains a unique initiation into life, to help prepare students
to better deal with tough moments in their lives. Near the conclusion,
Mr. Reynolds revives the ancient tradition of initiating youth.
Mr. Reynolds says, "The core message of my brief initiation
today is this: life brings everyone painful moments and obstacles.
It's designed to be that way. It's by our struggles to succeed
against adversity that we build our character, and define who
we are. It's by staying with whatever difficulty life throws at
us that we heal, and solve our problems — not by running away.
adults run away from their pain by using cigarettes, food, alcohol,
drugs, TV, or even work. A lot of teens use music. So the message
of this initiation today is that when these moments come, don't
escape into these. Instead, stay with your uncomfortable feelings,
and begin to solve the problem. Do the work — don't take the easy
path. Only a baby gets instant gratification! Adults have to delay
it and wait for it….
don't isolate and do this alone. Talk about what's bothering you
to your parents, a trusted teacher, or the school counselor. It's
by talking about our difficulties to another person that we heal,
and resolve problems. Life gets tough at times, but you can
This video inspires students to keep their
faith in the future
In our challenging times, a five minute section near the end of our video provides students with increased motivation to stay tobacco free and drug free, and to take care of their health for the incredible years ahead of us.
| Patrick Reynolds offers an inspiring
message of hope for the future, aimed at motivating students
to "hold on to your health, for the amazing, wondrous
Studies done in the early 1990's showed that large numbers of teens
suffered from anxiety about the future, and
had a keen sense of "diminished expectations."
In the face of an uncertain tomorrow, many
teens, especially those at risk, may be more inclined to
smoke, drink, use drugs and engage in other unsafe behavior.
Since the 90's our children have seen news reports about 9-11, the 2008 stock market crash, unemployment, new diseases like SARS, Bird Flu, AIDS, and Swine Flu, global warming and wild weather, wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the looming threat of new terrorist attacks at home.
Taken together, these events have heightened their anxiety and doubts about the future, and make our teens more prone to engage in high risk behaviors. Large
numbers of youth may be taking the attitude, "There's no future
for me, so I may as well smoke or try drugs, and have as
much fun as possible now!" In fact, between 1988 and 1998,
in fact, there was a 73% increase in teen smoking (it has
declined slightly since 1998).
To counteract this troubling trend, in the video Mr. Reynolds
addresses tobacco ad campaigns that targeted youth, and
smoking in movies and TV. But he also delivers an inspirational
message of hope for the future. "If teens have a stronger
outlook about the future," he reasons, "they will
be more motivated to take care of their health." He
shares his own "rock-solid faith that the future holds wonderful
things for all of us." He rallies the audience to stay tobacco-free,
drug-free and alcohol-free, and points out that, "You
are going to need your health in the great and amazing times
ahead! So don't smoke, don't drink, and don't use drugs.
You're going to need your health -- every bit of it -- in
the wondrous years ahead."
was just amazing to watch the faces as he spoke. He was really
presentation was strong, emotional and very captivating to the
teens. The evaluations we took were excellent. Powerful and
Reynolds' presentation made a strong impact in the lives of
thousands of children in Whitfield County. It really made a
big difference in our community."
high school kids are the toughest audience. It was hard to tell
when Reynolds hooked the kids. Maybe it was the adolescent humor.
He got a big reaction when he put up an anti-smoking slide of
Joe Chemo, depicting the famous cigarette icon camel in a hospital
bed. Maybe it was the shock tactics: before-and-after photos
of a high school track star who chewed tobacco. 'They cut his
tongue out,' he said, 'and he never could never talk again.'
A half-hour into his presentation, a time span that normally
would have tested all bounds of sixth-grade endurance, the kids
sat spellbound. He had them,' said Kettering Middle School Principal
presentation went over very well. People remember concepts when
emotional pictures are created and linked together to illustrate
a point. This is what you do so well. When people are moved
emotionally, they will remember, and they will take action.
The audience loved this emotional link, as I did, with a splash
of humor thrown in here and there. Nice touch. I was also impressed
with your knowledge and delivery. Your presentation was sincere
and heartfelt, as well as humorous and informative. For these
reasons, it was most enjoyable."
8117 W Manchester Ave Suite 500 · Playa del Rey CA 90293
Tel. (800) 541-7741 · (310) 577-9828 ·
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This video has
two segments, 20 minutes and 18 minutes, for viewing on separate class days.
A teacher's / parents' discussion guide comes with the
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Ask about live talks!
ANTI-TOBACCO VIDEO IS UNIQUE
Helping our kids keep faith in the future
Studies done in the early 1990's showed a new trend of increased anxiety among youth and worry
about the future.
are additional details about this unique section of our video.
Since the 1990's, many of our children have been exposed to news reports of 9-11, a stock market crash and unemployment, TV news about new diseases like SARS, Bird Flu, AIDS, or Swine Flu, global warming and wild weather, wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the looming threat of new terrorist attacks at home.
A unique five minute section near the end of our video addresses students' doubts and
fears about the future, and aims to restore positive
feelings about the years ahead.
The aim is to increase our kids' faith in the future, and
in doing so, give them new motivation to stay tobacco-free and
Mr. Reynolds concludes this sections saying, "... So hold on to your health, for the
amazing and wondrous years ahead of us all."
Below is an outline of this five minute section.
from 1988 to 1998, there was a huge 73% upsurge in teen smoking.
Why? What are the new factors are influencing today's teens?
Reynolds addresses the most widely accepted causes of this huge
increase in teen smoking, which are tobacco advertising campaigns
targeting youth, and smoking by stars in movies and TV. He talks
about smoking by Hollywood icons, and the attractive models in
tobacco ads. He uses hilarious anti-smoking spoofs of cigarette
ads, such as Joe Camel in a hospital bed. He shows heartbreaking
before-and-after photos of Sean Marsee, who died from chewing
tobacco at age 19 -- disfigured, sad and in pain. He strongly
warns about the addictiveness of tobacco.
he also devotes a four minute section of his video to a new issue,
which no one has addressed before.
Reynolds believes the new worry among youth helped fuel the 1990's
rise in teen smoking. In
a recent paper for the Stanford University Medical Review, Mr.
Reynolds advances a new theory. He points to 1994 market research
by Coca-Cola, which shows that great numbers of young people suffer
from "intense anxiety about the future, and an acute sense
of diminished expectations." (Time, May 30, 1994)
Today 50% of children ages 9-17 worry about dying young. (Yankelovitch
Partners Study, Time, May 3, 1999) Believing they face bleak
prospects, says Mr. Reynolds, many teens want to have fun now,
before an uncertain future arrives. He believes this attitude
has substantially contributed to the dramatic recent increase
in the teen smoking rate, to increased drug use, and to the rise
of binge drinking on college campuses. Since the video was made,
teens' faith in the future has been further eroded by the tragic
September 11th bombings in 2001.
by Visible Light / Mickey
address this problem, he devotes five minutes in Part 2 of the
new video to motivating youth to believe more strongly in the
makes five points. First, he teaches students to talk about
their worries and doubts to a trusted teacher, the school counselor,
their parents, and friends. Second, he teaches them to think more
positively, and gives them real-life examples of positive thinking.
Third, he asks the audience to reevaluate what real wealth
is, and questions whether wealth is just about material things.
Fourth, he shares his own strong faith that the 21st century will
be a truly extraordinary time. He concludes by sharing his own
"rock-solid faith that the future holds wonderful things!"
He rallies the audience to stay tobacco-free, drug-free and alcohol-free,
and points out that, "You are going to need your health in
the incredible years ahead. So don't throw your life away on cigarettes,
drugs or alcohol! Be a citizen of the 21st century, not the 20th.
Hold on to your health, for the amazing, wondrous years before
Increasing students' faith in the future gives them a new reason
to stay tobacco-free and drug-free, and helps motivate youth to
hold on to their health. And now, in the aftermath of the September
11th attacks, this section has the added value of helping restore
and heal worried students' shaken faith in the future.
initiation into life to
prepare students to better deal with tough moments in their lives.
"The core message here is that at times, life brings everyone
painful moments and obstacles," he says. "When these
moments come, don't escape by using tobacco, drugs, alcohol, food
or music. Instead, stay with your uncomfortable feelings, and
begin to solve the problem. And don't isolate and do this alone.
Talk about it to your parents, a trusted teacher, or the school
counselor. It's by talking about our difficulties to another
person that we heal, and resolve difficulties. Life gets tough
at times, and you can do it!"
Emphasizes the addictiveness
Opens students' eyes to tobacco advertising
how it can manipulate teens
Creates a new perception of smoking in
TV and films by
Motivates teens to resist peer pressure
Offers clear examples of
how to say no
Empowers students to make more responsible
drugs and alcohol
Stresses the importance of talking to
others about problems,
and not isolating
lively mix of
award-winning TV spots, live talk, film clips, photos and anti-smoking
into two 20 minute segments, to
allow time for class discussion
discussion guide included
students a great website for follow-up study,
VIDEO, FREE WITH PURCHASE A
separate, condensed version of the video, consisting of all six
clips on our clips page, is included free
with purchase. It may be paused between clips for class discussion.
Clips average four to five minutes each.
Truth About Tobacco is one of the most powerful and motivating
educational videos we've shown here. It had a really positive
impact on our students."
Campbell High School
Patrick Reynolds' appearances in the national media and before
Congress have made this grandson of tobacco company magnate R.J.
Reynolds an internationally known and respected anti-smoking advocate.
Mr. Reynolds saw his father, oldest brother, and other relatives
die from cigarette induced emphysema and lung cancer.
Concerned about the mounting health evidence against tobacco,
in 1986 he became the first tobacco industry figure to turn his
back on the cigarette companies. In the words of former Surgeon
General C. Everett Koop, "Patrick Reynolds is one of the
nation's most influential advocates of a smokefree America."
Mr. Reynolds founded The Foundation for a Smokefree America in
1989. The same year, his book, The Gilded Leaf, was published
by Little, Brown. It is in now available in paperback, through
A dynamic motivational speaker, Mr. Reynolds entertains, educates
and inspires audiences. Patrick Reynolds has addressed Congress,
State legislatures, major associations, health conferences, universities,
and numerous high and middle schools. His appearances in the international
press include profiles by Time, Newsweek, AP, UPI, NBC's Tom Brokaw,
CBS' Dan Rather, ABC World News, CNN Headline News, and numerous
features by the world's major dailies. He has also made memorable
TV appearances on Oprah, The Today Show, Good Morning America,
CBS This Morning, Larry King, ABC's Nightline, Phil Donahue, Extra,
Entertainment Tonight, and numerous other national and international
television and radio shows. Mr. Reynolds has devoted his life
to furthering the goal of a smokefree society, and to motivating
young people to stay tobacco free.
In hundreds of live anti-tobacco talks before universities, and
anti-smoking assembly programs before high and middle schools,
he has reminded many thousands of students of the dangers of tobacco.
This video captures and memorializes Patrick Reynolds' live talk
for grades 7 - 12.