Tobacco Advertising (761 words) Essay Example For Students

Tobacco Advertising (761 words) Essay Tobacco AdvertisingTobacco Advertising and its dangerous effects on young people. Everyday 3,000 children start smoking, most them between the ages of 10 and 18. These kids account for 90 percent of all new smokers. In fact, 90 percent of all adult smokers said that they first lit up as teenagers (Roberts). These statistics clearly show that young people are the prime target in the tobacco wars. The cigarette manufacturers may deny it, but advertising and promotion play a vital part in making these facts a reality (Roberts). We will write a custom essay on Tobacco Advertising (761 words) specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now The kings of these media ploys are Marlboro and Camel. Marlboro uses a fictional western character called The Marlboro Man, while Camel uses Joe Camel, a high-rolling, swinging cartoon character. Joe Camel, the smooth character from R.J. Reynolds, who is shown as a dromedary with complete style has been attacked by many Tobacco-Free Kids organizations as a major influence on the children of America. Dr. Lonnie Bristow, AMA (American Medical Association) spokesman, remarks that to kids, cute cartoon characters mean that the product is harmless, but cigarettes are not harmless. They have to know that their ads are influencing the youth under 18 to begin smoking(Breo). Researchers at the Medical College of Georgia report that almost as many 6-year olds recognize Joe Camel as know Mickey Mouse (Breo). That is very shocking information for any parent to hear. The industry denies that these symbols target people under 21 and claim that their advertising goal is simply to promote brand swit ching and loyalty. Many people disagree with this statement such as Illinois Rep. Richard Durbin who states If we can reduce the number of young smokers, the tobacco companies will be in trouble and they know it (Roberts). So what do the tobacco companies do to keep their industry alive and well? Seemingly, they go toward a market that is not fully aware of the harm that cigarettes are capable of. U.S. News recently featured a discussion of the smoking issue with 20 teenagers from suburban Baltimore. The group consisted of ten boys and ten girls between the ages of 15 and 17. When asked why they started smoking, they gave two contradictory reasons: They wanted to be a part of a peer group. They also wanted to reach out and rebel at the same time. When you party, 75 to 90 percent of the kids are smoking. It makes you feel like you belong, says Devon Harris, a senior at Woodlawn High. Teens also think of smoking as a sign of independence. The more authority figures tell them not to smoke, the more likely they are to pick up the habit (Roberts). The surprising thing is that these kids know that they are being influenced by cigarette advertising. If these kids know that this advertising is manipulating them, why do they still keep smoking? The ads are everywhere, especially in teen-oriented magazines, such as Rolling Stone and Spin. The ads also fuel some of the reasons the children gave for starting. They represent rebellion, independence, acceptance and happiness. These are all the things a young person, between childhood and adolescence, needs and desires. This type of advertising, on top of peer pressure, is the mystery behind the rise in adolescent smoking. How do we stop the future of America from smoking? Here are three things that the experts recommend. Try to convince your children that smoking is not cool. Talk to your kids at a young age about the dangers of smoking. Identify family members who smoke and ask them to stop (Thomas). Children are the most valuable commodity we are given in life. Lets try to educate them while theyre young to be independent thinkers and to not be swayed by the tobacco companies who are trying to take advantage of their mind and body. Works CitedBill Clinton vs. Joe Camel. U.S. News World Report. 2 Sep. 1996: 12. Infotrac. Online. 27 Oct. 1996. .uf7782ff76f4254a392551509af04c566 , .uf7782ff76f4254a392551509af04c566 .postImageUrl , .uf7782ff76f4254a392551509af04c566 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .uf7782ff76f4254a392551509af04c566 , .uf7782ff76f4254a392551509af04c566:hover , .uf7782ff76f4254a392551509af04c566:visited , .uf7782ff76f4254a392551509af04c566:active { border:0!important; } .uf7782ff76f4254a392551509af04c566 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .uf7782ff76f4254a392551509af04c566 { 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; } .uf7782ff76f4254a392551509af04c566:active , .uf7782ff76f4254a392551509af04c566:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .uf7782ff76f4254a392551509af04c566 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .uf7782ff76f4254a392551509af04c566 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .uf7782ff76f4254a392551509af04c566 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .uf7782ff76f4254a392551509af04c566 .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; } .uf7782ff76f4254a392551509af04c566:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .uf7782ff76f4254a392551509af04c566 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .uf7782ff76f4254a392551509af04c566 .uf7782ff76f4254a392551509af04c566-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .uf7782ff76f4254a392551509af04c566:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Vegetarianism EssaySelling 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 on tobacco. JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association. 29 Oct. 1993: 1978. Infotrac. Online. 27 Oct. 1996.

Proposition 36 essays

Proposition 36 essays Proposition 36, the Substance Abuse Crime Prevention Act was passed and rightly so because, first and second time drug offenders should receive the therapeutic treatment they need. After the sentence most of the offenders come out of jail worse than when they went into jail. Drug addicts and alcoholics after receiving proper therapeutic treatment can and do become productive contributing members of society. Many drug addicts that are first and second time offenders are young and inexperienced. When they are put into jail the addicts are put in with hardened criminals whose life long occupations have been criminal activities with violent outcomes. These old timers are more than happy to teach these young convicts their tricks, many times they want these youngsters to come right back to prison to keep them company. According to Robert Sharp, Program Officer of the Lindsmith center Drug Policy Foundation, Washington D.C: Putting Americans with substance abuse problems behind bars is a dangerous practice. Research published in American Psychologist shows: about one-fourth of those initially imprisoned for non-violent crimes are sentenced a second time for committing a violent offense. Whatever else it reflects, this pattern highlights the possibility that prison serves to transmit violent habits and values rather than to reduce them. The U.S is making a big mistake by criminalizing substance abuse. Imagine if every alcoholic in America were denied treatment due to lack of funds. Take it one step further. Imagine if every alcoholic was thrown in jail and given a permanent record. How many lives would be destroyed? How many families torn apart, how many tax dollars would be wasted turning potentially productive members of society into hardened criminals? It is time to rethink the failed drug war. The growing numbers of Americans who favor Public Health Approaches are looking to California to lead the way. The public ...