London, ON – The popcorn will be on the house when the Middlesex-London Health Unit invites families to Victoria Park this Saturday, September 20th, for a free screening of Disney’s Oscar winning hit, Frozen. Last year more than 1,700 people attended the Smoke-Free Movie Night, so families are encouraged to arrive early and bring their lawnchairs and blankets to take advantage of all the activities that get underway at 5:00 p.m.
This marks the 3rd straight year that the Health Unit and its One Life One You youth group have partnered with the Canadian Cancer Society, the YMCA, and the City of London on a Smoke-Free Movie Night, all in an effort to spread the word that smoking in youth-rated movies is not okay.
“The smoking shown in movies happens at a much higher rate than it does in reality, which is a major concern for us because many of those films are rated for children and youth. And we know that when kids see tobacco use on-screen, it increases the risk they’ll start to smoke,” says Linda Stobo, Manager of Chronic Disease Prevention and Tobacco Control with the Middlesex-London Health Unit. “By showing great movies like Frozen which are exciting, entertaining and tobacco-free we’re saying that showing smoking and tobacco brands in films intended for a young audience is not okay.”
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ 2014 Surgeon General Report report stated that without action 5.6 million children now under the age of 18 will die prematurely as a result of smoking. The report entitled The Health Consequences of Smoking - 50 Years of Progress also suggests cutting down the depictions of smoking in movies aimed at youth could reduce teen smoking by as much as 18%.
The Health Unit’s 3rd annual Smoke-Free Movie Night will feature games, interactive activities, face painting and of course, free popcorn provided by One Life One You and staff and volunteers from the Health Unit, Canadian Cancer Society and the YMCA.
Inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale The Snow Queen, and produced by Disney Animation Studios, Frozen tells the story of a young princess from the kingdom of Arendelle who sets off on a journey with an resourceful iceman, his pet reindeer, and a talking snowman to find her sister, whose powers have locked the land in an eternal winter. Since its release in late 2013, Frozen has become the highest grossing animated film of all time.
The current forecast for Saturday calls for a mix of sun and cloud, with a high of 21 and a low of 13. Families who plan to attend the Smoke-Free Movie Night are encouraged to dress warmly and to bring lawn chairs and blankets. In the case of poor weather, the Smoke-Free Movie Night will be rescheduled to occur on Saturday, September 27, 2014.
Media Contact:
Dan Flaherty, Communications Manager, Middlesex-London Health Unit, 519-663-5317 extension 2469 or 519-617-0570 (cell.)
Spokesperson:
Linda Stobo, Manager of Chronic Disease Prevention and Tobacco Control