Tobacco in America Essay Example For Students

Tobacco in America Essay Tobacco in AmericaEveryday 3,000 children start smoking, most them between the ages of 10 and18. These kids account for 90 percent of all new smokers. In fact, 90 percent ofall adult smokers said that they first lit up as teenagers (Roberts). Thesestatistics clearly show that young people are the prime target in the tobaccowars. The cigarette manufacturers may deny it, but advertising and promotionplay a vital part in making these facts a reality (Roberts). The kings of these media ploys are Marlboro and Camel. Marlboro uses afictional western character called The Marlboro Man, while Camel uses Joe Camel,a high-rolling, swinging cartoon character. Joe Camel, the smooth characterfrom R.J. Reynolds, who is shown as a dromedary with complete style has beenattacked by many Tobacco-Free Kids organizations as a major influence on thechildren of America. Dr. Lonnie Bristow, AMA (American Medical Association)spokesman, remarks that to kids, cute cartoon characters mean that the productis harmless, but cigarettes are not harmless. They have to know that their adsare influencing the youth under 18 to begin smoking(Breo). Researchers at theMedical College of Georgia report that almost as many 6-year olds recognize JoeCamel as know Mickey Mouse (Breo). That is very shocking information for anyparent to hear. We will write a custom essay on Tobacco in America specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now The industry denies that these symbols target people under 21 and claim thattheir advertising goal is simply to promote brand switching and loyalty. Manypeople disagree with this statement such as Illinois Rep. Richard Durbin whostates If we can reduce the number of young smokers, the tobacco companieswill be in trouble and they know it (Roberts). So what do the tobacco companiesdo to keep their industry alive and well? Seemingly, they go toward a marketthat is not fully aware of the harm that cigarettes are capable of. U.S. News recently featured a discussion of the smoking issue with 20teenagers from suburban Baltimore. The group consisted of ten boys and ten girlsbetween the ages of 15 and 17. When asked why they started smoking, they gavetwo contradictory reasons: They wanted to be a part of a peer group. They alsowanted to reach out and rebel at the same time. When you party, 75 to 90percent of the kids are smoking. It makes you feel like you belong, says DevonHarris, a senior at Woodlawn High. Teens also think of smoking as a sign ofindependence. The more authority figures tell them not to smoke, the more likelythey are to pick up the habit (Roberts). The surprising thing is that these kidsknow that they are being influenced by cigarette advertising. If these kids know that this advertising is manipulating them, why do theystill keep smoking? The ads are everywhere, especially in teen-orientedmagazines, such as Rolling Stone and Spin. The ads also fuel some of the reasonsthe children gave for starting. They represent rebellion, independence,acceptance and happiness. These are all the things a young person, betweenchildhood and adolescence, needs and desires. This type of advertising, on topof peer pressure, is the mystery behind the rise in adolescent smoking. How do we stop the future of America from smoking? Here are three thingsthat the experts recommend. Try to convince your children that smoking is notcool. Talk to your kids at a young age about the dangers of smoking. Identifyfamily members who smoke and ask them to stop (Thomas). Children are the most valuable commodity we are given in life. Lets try toeducate them while theyre young to be independent thinkers and to not be swayedby the tobacco companies who are trying to take advantage of their mind and body. .uca79dd7643f4cf8e6b576dbb97434e11 , .uca79dd7643f4cf8e6b576dbb97434e11 .postImageUrl , .uca79dd7643f4cf8e6b576dbb97434e11 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .uca79dd7643f4cf8e6b576dbb97434e11 , .uca79dd7643f4cf8e6b576dbb97434e11:hover , .uca79dd7643f4cf8e6b576dbb97434e11:visited , .uca79dd7643f4cf8e6b576dbb97434e11:active { border:0!important; } .uca79dd7643f4cf8e6b576dbb97434e11 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .uca79dd7643f4cf8e6b576dbb97434e11 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .uca79dd7643f4cf8e6b576dbb97434e11:active , .uca79dd7643f4cf8e6b576dbb97434e11:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .uca79dd7643f4cf8e6b576dbb97434e11 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .uca79dd7643f4cf8e6b576dbb97434e11 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .uca79dd7643f4cf8e6b576dbb97434e11 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .uca79dd7643f4cf8e6b576dbb97434e11 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .uca79dd7643f4cf8e6b576dbb97434e11:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .uca79dd7643f4cf8e6b576dbb97434e11 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .uca79dd7643f4cf8e6b576dbb97434e11 .uca79dd7643f4cf8e6b576dbb97434e11-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .uca79dd7643f4cf8e6b576dbb97434e11:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Psychological Explanations Of Anorexia EssayWorks CitedBill Clinton vs. Joe Camel. U.S. News World Report. 2 Sep. 1996: 12. Infotrac. Online. 27 Oct. 1996. Selling Tobacco to Kids. America. 17 Feb. 1996: 3. Infotrac. Online. 27 Oct. 1996. Roberts, Steven. Teens on tobacco; kids smoke for reasons all their own. U.S. News World Report. 18 Apr. 1996: 38. Infotrac. Online. 27 Oct. 1996. Thomas, Roger E. 10 steps to keep the children in your practice nonsmokers.American Family Physician. Aug. 1996: 450. Infotrac. Online. 27 Oct. 1996. Breo, Dennis L. Kicking Butts-AMA, Joe Camel and the Black Flag war ontobacco. JAMA, TheJournal of the American Medical Association. 29Oct. 1993: 1978. Infotrac. Online. 27 Oct. 1996. t