Tobacco in America

Essay by Anonymous UserUniversity, Bachelor'sB-, October 1995

download word file, 3 pages 3.9

Good B paper for Freshmen Collge Students Could have shown more examples

Tobacco in America

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).

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 switching 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...