| big tobacco on trial |
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General Descr' + 'iption of Activity: Put your knowledge of Big Tobacco’s lies to good use by staging a mock trial. The defendant, a Big Tobacco executive, is charged with targeting teens, addicting them to his deadly products, and killing 4,200 West Virginians every year. The prosecuting attorneys try to prove the dangers of cigarette smoking and using spit tobacco, show how addictive tobacco really is, and show how Big Tobacco targets and manipulates youth to try to get them to use their product.
The defense attorneys argue that smoking is a personal choice and deny all other accusations.
A jury will convict the executive and the judge will banish the executive, his lies, and his products from the community.
This activity is a unique way to gain the attention and win the support of elected officials, the public and the press. When doing this activity, be sure to get your Raze stats and Big Tobacco facts correct so that the attorneys’ arguments are truthful. What would you like to say to a Big Tobacco exec? How do you think he or she would respond? Use this brainstorming to write the scr' + 'ipt. Materials Needed Three to four weeks to write, rehearse, and perform; props such as chairs, tables, microphones, and speakers; and a computer and printer for writing and printing the skit for the performers.
Best Place to Perform Commotion
A school classroom or community center.
Estimated Number of Teens Needed 15 or more |