Assembly Resolution No. 801

BY: M. of A. Dinowitz

COMMENDING Reality Check of New York State for its
role in engaging youth as leaders in the movement
against tobacco use and the tobacco industry, and
paying tribute to this year's honorees

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
applaud the efforts of those organizations within the State of New York
which aim to curb the use of tobacco by young people in their community;
and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commend Reality Check of New York State for its role in engaging youth
as leaders in the movement against tobacco use and the tobacco industry,
and to pay tribute to this year's honorees; and

WHEREAS, Since 2001, Reality Check, the youth action component of
the New York State Bureau of Tobacco Control Program, has strived to
educate their peers, parents, legislators, community members and key
decision makers on the tobacco industry's manipulative marketing
practices and how they target youth to become replacement smokers; and

WHEREAS, The exceptional teenagers of Reality Check were
instrumental in removing tobacco ads from certain magazines sent to
schools and read by youth, and convincing numerous parks and other
outdoor spaces to adopt smoke-free policies within its boundaries; and

WHEREAS, Currently, the group is working with national leaders and
other states to remove smoking scenes from youth rated films, and to
eliminate the influence the tobacco industry has in retail stores; and

WHEREAS, Through Reality Check, teenagers have used their powerful
voices to send a clear message about the hazards of tobacco use and
marketing at numerous press events, meetings with legislators, town hall
meetings, city council meetings, school board meetings and parent group
meetings; and

WHEREAS, These remarkable young people have spread their important
message about the dangers of smoking at national conferences, and
rallies throughout the State of New York and neighboring states; some
individuals have also traveled abroad to convey their heartfelt wishes
for a world that will be safer and healthier for everyone; and

WHEREAS, The average age of a new smoker is 13 years-old; smoking
directly causes $10.39 billion in annual health care costs in New York;
and

WHEREAS, Currently, 14.2% of adults and 4.3% of high school students
smoke in New York State; 20.6% of high school students use electronic
cigarettes; and

WHEREAS, Tobacco kills more people annually than alcohol and illegal
drug use, car accidents, homicide and HIV/AIDS combined; and


WHEREAS, Each year, 28,200 New Yorkers die from smoking related
diseases, and 280,000 children currently under the age of 18 will
prematurely die from smoking; and

WHEREAS, Twelve young people from across the state have proudly
spoken from their hearts and have donated their time and energy to
telling the truth about the risks and costs related to tobacco; they
truly deserve to be recognized as a 2018 New York State Reality Check
Youth Advocate of the Year; and

WHEREAS, They include: Lauren Cybul, senior at Pittsford Southerland
High School, New York State Youth Advocate; Ryan Minard, senior at
Wallkill Senior High School, MARO Region Youth Advocate; Zoe Kaminski,
junior at Depew High School, Western Region Youth Advocate; Jacob Brady,
senior at Johnson City Senior High, Central Region Youth Advocate; and
Mikhail Hailu, senior at Schuylerville Central School, Capital Region
Youth Advocate; and

WHEREAS, The following teenagers were named Honorable Mention Youth
Advocates: Heather Chatt, sophomore at Lockport High School; Heidi
Chatt, sophomore at Lockport High School; Nicholas Doxey, sophomore at
Lockport High School; Keonna Browne, senior at Binghamton High School;
Kelsey Gibbons, senior at Cortland Junior/Senior High School; and
Kathryn Wojsiat, sophomore at Holy Cross Academy; as well as Isaac
Snitkoff, senior at Susan E. Wagner High School; and

WHEREAS, These tremendous students have remained steadfast in their
commitment to educate their peers, parents, legislators, community
members and key decision makers on the tobacco industry's marketing
practices and its efforts to target youth; and

WHEREAS, These 12 individuals diligently worked to control tobacco
use, by using their knowledge, problem solving skills and voices to
educate their community about the real consequences of cigarette
smoking; and

WHEREAS, Organizations such as Reality Check of New York State are
proactively committed to protecting the lives of our young people; and

WHEREAS, It is with great admiration that this Legislative Body
applauds the efforts of all the individuals involved in this vital
organization which continues to proactively work for the health, safety
and future of our great Empire State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Reality Check of New York State for its role in engaging youth
as leaders in the movement against tobacco use and the tobacco industry,
and to pay tribute to this year's honorees; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Reality Check of New York State, and the aforementioned
honorees.