HELENA – The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services is looking for real Montanans to be featured in their new Tobacco Use Prevention Program commercial campaign.
To audition a person needs to have a real story about how tobacco has impacted their life or the life of someone they know.
The program administers the Montana Tobacco Quit Line and hopes the auditions will find real Montanans with real tobacco-related stories to feature in an upcoming public health campaign.
“Tobacco use affects real Montanans,” said MTUPP manager Nicole Aune. “We have 1,600 Montanans who die from tobacco-related illness every year. It’s a big issue and it’s still the number one preventable cause of death in both Montana and the nation.”
Auditions will be held in Bozeman on Aug. 20, in Missoula Aug. 21, and in Helena Aug. 22. Montanans of all ages are welcome to audition and share their stories.
There is no experience required and video auditions can be submitted via the MTUPP website for anyone not able to attend the live auditions, at www.AuditionsMT.com.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports adults and high school students in the state are more likely to use tobacco than the national average.
“We have seen a decline in traditional cigarette use over the past years,” said Aune. “But what we’re seeing now is new tobacco products on the market like e-cigarettes.”
DPHHS data shows that 23% of Montana high school students are active e-cigarette users and around half of high school students say they have used an e-cigarette.
“That’s scary because e-cigarettes typically contain nicotine,” said Aune. “Nicotine is highly addictive and also affects developing brains.”
Auditions for the campaign will be held:
Monday, Aug. 20 – Bozeman, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Comfort Suites Hotel – Small Meeting Room
2515 Catamount Street
Bozeman, MT 59718
Tuesday, Aug. 21 – Missoula, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Courtyard by Marriott Missoula – Bitterroot Meeting Room
4559 North Reserve Street
Missoula, MT 59808
Wednesday, Aug. 22 – Helena, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Residence Inn by Marriott Helena – Meeting Room Next to Front Desk
2500 E Custer Avenue
Helena, MT 59602
Click here for more information about the Tobacco Quit Line and other programs offered through MTUPP.
By John Riley – MTN News
