"Butt Out Film Contest"

Welcome to the first of a series of awareness campaign's contests.

World No Tobacco Day is celebrated around the world every year on May 31.

The Member States of the World Health Organization created World No Tobacco Day in 1987 to draw global attention to the tobacco epidemic and the preventable death and disease it causes. In 1987, the World Health Assemby passed Resolution WHA40.38, calling for 7 April 1988 to be a "a world no-smoking day." In 1988, Resolution WHA42.19 was passed, calling for the celebration of World No Tobacco Day, every year on 31 May.

Each year, more than 5 million people die because of the use of tobacco (more than from HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis combined). Current trends shows a death toll of around 8 millions by 2030.

Cigarette smoking is the leading preventable cause of death killing around 443,000 people per year only in the United States. An estimated 49,000 of these deaths are the result of secondhand smoke exposure.

It is the only legal consumer product that kills when used exactly as the manufacturer intends.

Up to half of all smokers will die from a tobacco-related disease. Second-hand smoke harms everyone who is exposed to it.

Less lifetime: On average, smokers die 13 to 14 years earlier than nonsmokers.

Less quality of life: For every person who dies of a smoking-related disease, 20 more people suffer with at least one serious illness from smoking. Smoking also increases the length of time that people live with a disability by about 2 years.

But remember, this is not about numbers, this is about people. You, your family, your friends... Suffering, agonizing, dying...

Why is tobacco so harmful?
Chemical carcinogens, Radioactive carcinogens, Nicotine...

Tobacco companies spend tens of millions of dollars every year turning new users into addicts and keeping current users from quitting. Through advertising and promotional campaigns, including the use of carefully crafted package designs, the tobacco industry continues to divert attention from the deadly effects of its products.

More and more countries are fighting back by requiring that tobacco packages graphically show the dangers of tobacco, as called for in the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. They use the MPOWER technical assistance package developed by WHO to meet their commitments under this international treaty.

Effective health warnings, especially those that include pictures, have been proven to motivate users to quit and to reduce the appeal of tobacco for those who are not yet addicted. Despite this fact, 9 out of 10 people live in countries that do not require warnings with pictures on tobacco packages.

Nicotine is a highly addictive substance. Warning people about its true risks can go a long way towards reducing tobacco addiction. Requiring warnings on tobacco packages is a simple, cheap and effective strategy that can vastly reduce tobacco use and save lives. Now is the time to act.

The Contest:

Rules:

Only Film and Animation videos are accepted.

Entries must be submited to the Contest gallery: "Contests > 2009 > Butt Out Contest"

The video should warn about the dangers of smoking, motivate smokers to quit and reduce the appeal of tobacco for those who are not yet addicted.

Deadline:

Entry must be submited before 11:59:59 PM (PT) on May 31, 2009.

Judging:

Prizes:

First Prize

- $75 deviantdollars & 1 year subscription

Second Prize

- $50 deviantdollars & 6 months subscription

Third Prize

- $25 deviantdollars & 3 months subscription


"Smoking is like playing a Solitaire russian roulette... Do not kill yourself, quit."

Sources:
http://www.cdc.gov
http://www.who.int/tobacco/en/

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"Should you wish to participate in this contest, but do not yet have film privileges please read FAQ #842: How do I become a submitting member of the film community? and submit an application!"