The Draw to Smoke

As many as 30 to 50% of adolescents who smoke attribute their habit to seeing someone smoke on TV. When I read that statistic I took sometime to reflect back and think what was it that drew me to smoke my very first cigarette. Was it the common elements spoke of such as rebellion, curiosity, peer pressure, or TV? After doing some soul searching, it was none of the pre-mentioned elements at all, but rather watching my father smoke.

In a recent study done by Dartmouth University, after tracking 6,500 students from 5th grade through high school and beyond, reported that those who watched movies that featured actors that lit up on screen are three times more likely to start smoking. What was even more surprising was that group of kids were not your typical vulnerable population, thrill seekers, or even kids that come from households where the parents smoked, just your typical everyday student.

Children between the age of 10 to 14 are subjected to more than 600 scenes (T.V. and Film) a year of individuals smoking. That is twice as much as the exposure to smoking 20 years ago. I can’t recall scenes off T.V. or Films that made any impact on my choice to start smoking at a young age (12 to be exact) but that was over 34 years ago and now I guess I really don’t notice smoking in film or on T.V. because I already smoke. On occasion when I see someone smoking on T.V I will get an urge to smoke however. What I would really be curious to see though is some statistics on how many kids started smoking due to their parent(s) habit. Do you smoke? Can you recall what it was that drew you to smoking? What do you feel plays a larger role in youth starting smoking?


If you need help, are struggling with an addiction, or know of someone who is, please contact A Better Tomorrow Treatment Center today. We are here to help.
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President Obama's Attempt to Change Youth Smoking Statistics

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?


If you need help, are struggling with an addiction, or know of someone who is, please contact A Better Tomorrow Treatment Center today. We are here to help.
http://www.abttc.net/
Phone: 800.971.1586
Fax: 800.401.8464
24 Hour Addiction HelpLine
Tel. (800) 396-9389 (7 days 24 hours)
e-mail: info@24houraddictionhelp.com
http://www.24houraddictionhelp.org/

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