Daily, more than 3,000 kids under the age of 18 try smoking a cigarette. Half of those kids will develop a life long habit of smoking, and a third will die from tobacco related diseases. Pretty alarming when you look at the numbers. Smoking for some kids is a rite of passage to what they see as adulthood. The images portrayed on TV and advertisements glamorize smoking, similar to that of drinking a cup of coffee, a great way to relax or socialize.
In an attempt by President Obama back in June 09 to help keep kids from getting hooked on tobacco the President signed a tobacco bill. The law requires that more graphic warning labels be placed on the packaging of tobacco items and bans the use of terms like “mild” and “light” which he believes misleads the youth into believing that by smoking these products they can inhale more safely. It also requires that any advertisement be kept away from schools and playgrounds and the promotion of tobacco products are not allowed to be sponsored by sports or entertainment events. Many of these provisions however will not take effect until 2012.
Do you think President Obama’s new laws will lower the statistics of kids smoking or do you think that the tobacco will just market differently to draw in the new generation of smokers?
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The things Obama wants changed may make a difference to a few, but overall I don't think it will matter all that much. I'm not sure what the answer is short of not making cigarettes at all. I'm not even sure that would work because where there's a will, there's a way.
ReplyDeleteI fear that's too little too late to do much good. If they aren't affected by the warning now, they aren't going to pay any more attention to a sturner one.
ReplyDeleteIt's seldom that you see anyone smoking on a TV show or in a movie anymore. I think more kids are influenced by smoking in the home. It's a nice gesture to enforce a stronger warning, but I don't think it will help.
ReplyDeleteI know this is a good thing, even though I don't think it will make a difference. I think Obama should be trying to improve the economy and get this country out of debt. That's what he will be remembered for, not a stronger warning for smokers.
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen any advertisements for cigarettes in quite some time. If there are billboards or tv ads, I've not seen them. Most people don't smoke on tv or in the movies any more. I'd like to know what makes kids think it's an OK thing to do.
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