Live Sessions

Published on July 31st, 2017 | by David Morales

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The Truth Campaign #FinshIT

The tobacco industry has a history of exploiting certain demographics that effect marginalized groups who are easily targeted, such as the LGBT and African American communities.  The truth campaign is an organization that takes action to find the facts that helps filter the message behind the tobacco industry and explores the truth about their marketing tactics. Joining the Hype magazine are two “Finishers,” taking a break from the Warp Tour to talk about some of those facts.  Gamer, YouTuber and musician Brian Ochiagha and Tour Manager, Josh Barna, tell us about some of those schemes tobacco companies have used to infiltrate the market and reach potential smokers. But what can you do to help? In 2000, 23 percent of U.S teens smoked cigarettes. Today that number is down to six percent. By reaching out on social media channels and using the #STOPPROFILING hashtag, you can be a finisher too. Listen to what Brian and Josh have to say about it and what you can do to reach out and be a part of the cause.   

Brian how did you get started with the truth campaign?

Brian: I got started by kind of going through Instagram and there were ads on how you could get involved with truth. I clicked on a link and it took me to their website. I started reading up on what truth was. I mean I knew truth was a tobacco prevention campaign, but then I applied and went through the whole interview process and started working with them directly here at the Warp Tour, spreading awareness among the younger crowd. My job is to talk to them and to tell them what truth is all about and what tobacco companies have done to target certain demographics.

As I understand it, tobacco companies target the LGBT and the African American communities. What are some of the ways that they do this?   

They target the LGBT community by using ads. Just look at some of their ads and the words that they use, such as “pride,” “freedom,” and “choose.” They way that they target African American communities is by visiting their communities and handing out cigarettes. Back in the 80s, they used to send people to the inner cities to give out free cigarettes to get more of them to buy menthol cigarettes.

Josh how did you get started with the truth Campaign?

Josh: When I was in college, I worked at a youth rehab facility for like drug addiction for different type of self-harm and things like that. I ran a weekly group on tobacco awareness.  One day I went to the Truth website looking for information to help with the group and I saw a job posting for their summer tour. I went ahead and applied and I’ve been working with them for four years now.

What are some of the things you hope to accomplish with the truth campaign?

Our overall goal is to be the generation that finishes it by getting teen smoking rates down to zero percent. That is our number one goal.

I understand that one of you has had experiences with the hookah?

Brian: I didn’t know until I started working with the truth campaign that hookah also had tobacco in it. I wasn’t aware of that. Before I joined truth, I used to smoke hookah with my friends. It was kind of a social thing. I had no idea that it had tobacco in it. It was kind of one of those things that I just picked up and was just like – oh OK well this seems fun – its really chill and relaxing. I didn’t think anything of it until I started working with Truth and they told me that hookah actually does have tobacco.

Josh: Smoking an hour session of hookah is the same as smoking 100 cigarettes. Its equivalent to an hour session of hookah.

What are “Finshers” and how do you become one?

Brian: Basically, we are all finishers. The end goal of finishers, like Josh said earlier is to bring teen smoking percentage down to zero. Right now, we are at six percent. A finisher is a person who tries to spread awareness about tobacco to the youth in their own unique way. Anything social media! You can become a finisher just by promoting and spreading awareness among your community that way.

Where can we go for more information on the #stopprofiling campaign? 

You can find more information at truth.com. We also have a enlisting program were you can enlist to become a finisher.

 

 

 

 

 

 


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About the Author

is the Executive Editor of The Hype magazine. A graduate of Eastern Michigan University, David has a background as an artist manager, writer, blogger, drummer, and in the human services industry. He is passionate about helping others, learning and has a deep empathy for the creative process. You can follow his social media @dcypherstudios


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