The BODY WORLDS Vital exhibition now on at the Sci-Bono Discovery Centre in Newtown, Johannesburg, until 19 June encourages smokers to quit, especially now, during No Tobacco Month which runs until 01 June. From the 17 May to support of the No Tobacco Month initiative, visitors who decide to quit on the spot get the use of a free audio guide when leaving their full or half pack of cigarettes. Each rejected pack marks a victory by one person against nicotine addiction.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) tobacco kills up to half of its users, estimated to be around 6 million deaths each year. More than 5 million of those deaths are the result of direct tobacco use while more than 600 000 are the result of non-smokers being exposed to second-hand smoke. Every year, World Tobacco Day (WNTD) is observed around the world on 31 May, highlighting the health risks associated with tobacco use and advocating for effective policies to reduce tobacco consumption. It is one of eight official global public health campaigns marked by the WHO.
Presented by Discovery, BODY WORLDS Vital is a completely new experience for visitors as it educates about the effects of poor lifestyle decisions such as incorrect nutrition, over-indulging in alcohol and smoking that may result in diseases like obesity and cancer. There are 17 never before seen in South Africa full-body plastinates and a further 160 organs and transparent body slices on display at the BODY WORLDS Vital exhibition. On display are specimens of healthy lungs, lungs infected with Tuberculosis and cancerous lungs but it is the blackened smoker’s lungs that make visitors take note. Teens and young students become aware of the effects of inhaling cigarette smoke and suddenly smoking isn’t all that “cool” while the reality of lung cancer leaves a lasting impression to adults of all ages.
The recently installed interactive Anatomical Mirror now in South Africa for the first time shows the visitor’s body movements as he or she approaches the anatomical on-screen figure; it then it appears as if the outer layers of the user’s body begin to peel off, layer by layer, showing the underlying anatomy. This popular new attraction and the two new plastinates of a man and woman in an intimate pose (within an enclosed area within the exhibition) adds to the unique BODY WORLDS Vital exhibition experience.
Independent surveys conducted at BODY WORLDS exhibits have revealed that 68 percent of visitors resolved to pay more attention to their physical health after seeing the exhibit. Results from follow-up surveys showed that 10% of visitors stated that they smoked less and reduced alcohol consumption since visiting BODY WORLDS.
Among smokers who are aware of the dangers of tobacco, most want to quit. “Many visitors to the exhibition reported that they had tried many ways but only stopped after seeing the smoker’s lung,” says Tyrone Thöle, Managing Director, Great World Exhibitions who added, “Interestingly, cleaning crews at many of the BODY WORLDS exhibitions in different cities across the globe often find unfinished packs of cigarettes at the glass display case containing blackened smokers lungs. We are hoping that this will happen locally.”
A visit to BODY WORLDS Vital will likely change the way you see your body and give you a new perspective on health, vitality and the harmful and often life-threatening effects of certain major chronic diseases. Support No Tobacco month and the efforts of the WHO by encouraging smokers you know to quit. The blackened smokers lungs on view at BODY WORLDS Vital may be best form of persuasion.
The exhibited bodies have all been willed by donors for Plastination. This process has rendered the specimens dry and odourless and the creative ways used to display them makes the entire experience striking and thought-provoking for adults and children alike.
BODY WORLDS Vital closes on 19 June 2016. Book now to avoid disappointment. The exhibition is open every day of the week between 9h00 and 18h00. For more information and bookings, visit www.bodyworldsvital.co.za. Book your ticket now. The exhibition opens at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town on 9 August and closes on 23 October 2016
Exhibition Information
Exhibition Dates
1 March to 19 June 2016 inclusive
Venue
Sci-Bono Discovery Centre,
Corner of Miriam Makeba St & Helen Joseph St, Newtown, Johannesburg
Opening Times
9am – 6pm, 7 days a week. Last admission: 5pm
Estimated time to view the entire exhibition: 1.5 – 2 hours
Ticket Prices (excludes Audio Guide)
Adults (18 years+): Discounted weekdays: R120 pp;
Weekends, public holidays and school holidays: R160 pp
Children* (6 to 17 years): Any day, special child rate: R100 pp
Children under 5 years: Free
Family (2 adults + 2 children or 1 adult + 3 children)
Discounted weekdays: R360. Weekends, public holidays and school holidays: R440
Audio Guides: R40 per unit
Group Bookings (per person)
Group (10+): R100 valid weekdays only
Schools (10+ learners) valid weekdays only
Entry only: 6 – 17 years: R80; 18+ years: R100; Teachers/adults: R120
Entry + Audio Guide: 6 – 17 years: R100; 18+ years: R120; Teachers/adults: R140
Bookings and Time-Slot tickets
To avoid possible disappointment, pre-online bookings are recommended. Tickets can also be purchased at the venue, subject to availability. Tickets are sold in 30-minute time slots to prevent overcrowding. When purchasing a ticket online, select the 30-minute period during which you wish to arrive at the exhibition. Once you have entered the exhibition, you are welcome to stay as long as you want within opening hours.
Online
Info: www.bodyworldsvital.co.za
Tickets: www.webtickets.co.za & www.bodyworldsvital.co.za
Facebook: greatworldexhibitionssa
Twitter: greatworldsa
Email enquiries to: info@greatworld.co.za
About Discovery
About Discovery Limited
Discovery Limited is a South African-founded financial services organisation that operates in the healthcare, life assurance, short-term insurance, savings and investment products and wellness markets. Founded in 1992, Discovery was guided by a clear core purpose – to make people healthier and to enhance and protect their lives. Underpinning this core purpose is the belief that through innovation, Discovery can be a powerful market disruptor and a powerful force for social good. To pursue this goal, Discovery employs a shared value insurance model which incentivises healthier behaviour for the benefit of members and insurers.
The company, with headquarters in Johannesburg, South Africa, has expanded its operations globally and currently serves over 5.1 million clients covered worldwide. Discovery, with 10 000 employees across the world, recently announced its partnership with Generali, a leading insurer in Europe, and has partnered John Hancock in the United States. These new partnerships will bring Discovery’s shared value business model to protection industries in Europe and the United States.
Discovery’s wellness programme, Vitality, is the world’s largest science based wellness solution for individuals and corporates. The global Vitality membership base now exceeds three million lives in five markets.
Discovery is an authorised financial services provider and trades under the code “DSY” on the Johannesburg Securities Exchange.
Discovery Health
Launched in 1992, Discovery Health is South Africa’s largest healthcare funder and manager of medical schemes. It manages 16 medical schemes.
- Discovery Health covers over three million lives (all schemes under management).
- Discovery Health pioneered consumer-centric healthcare in South Africa with the introduction of innovations like the Medical Savings Account and its wellness programme, Vitality.
- Discovery Health has consistently been voted the top healthcare product at the Financial Intermediaries Association of Southern Africa (FIA) Awards.
- It has the largest number of contracts for the management of closed medical schemes. It was awarded seven of the last eight tenders in this segment.
- Discovery market share for closed schemes has risen from 8% to 13%, bringing the total Discovery Health market share to 38%.
- Discovery Financial Adviser Academy launched in August 2015 to increase the number of trained advisers.
About GREAT WORLD EXHIBITIONS
BODY WORLDS Vital is brought to South Africa by Great World Exhibitions – South Africa’s leading promoter and presenter of internationally acclaimed touring exhibitions. Our proven track record and exclusive focus on delivering touring exhibitions reassure our partners of a commercially sound operating model and a professional service. Our objectives are to entertain, educate and inspire South Africans. We achieve this by showcasing the most exceptional and innovative exhibitions that captivate audiences all over the world. Since 2012, our team has successfully promoted and run three BODY WORLDS & The Cycle of Life exhibitions, two Da Vinci – The Genius exhibitions and two TUTANKHAMUN – His Tomb and His Treasures exhibitions at prime locations in Johannesburg and Cape Town.