The South Lakes High School Parent Teacher Student Association and Student Government Association leadership class are sponsoring a screening of the movie Addiction Incorporated on Friday.

The documentary looks at how tobacco companies conspired to addict the human brain and deceive the American public, and how the world came to know about it. 

The film - at 7 p.m. in SLHS' Little Theatre - at will be followed by a discussion and Q&A session with guest panelists.

Among the panelists:  Pat Hynes, Hunter Mill School Board Member; Sharon Arndt, Fairfax County Department of Neighborhood and Community Services; Sharon Eubanks, US Justice Department and board member for Americans for Nonsmokers' Rights; Ritney Castine, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids.

Want to attend the free screening? Click here to reserve your seat.

Addiction Incorporated, written and directed by Charles Evans, Jr. and produced by Charmaine Parcero, tells the story of scientist Victor DeNoble, who worked for Philip Morris in trying to develop a “safe” cigarette.

Instead, he discovered how very addictive the nicotine in tobacco is and told his employer the results of his research. The company immediately closed his laboratory and dismissed him, insisting that he sign a confidentiality agreement.

During a dramatic moment, captured on film, Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA) succeeds in getting the firm to agree to the breaking of that agreement, allowing DeNoble to tell the truth.

DeNoble has since become a strong tobacco-prevention proponent, speaking to schoolchildren, as well as adults, about his experiences and the dangers of tobacco use.

For more info and to watch the trailer, click here.