Smoking

Every day 3,000 children start smoking, most of them between the ages of 10 and 18 and one-third will die from tobacco related deaths. These kids account for 90 percent of all new smokers. In fact, 90 percent of all adults state that they first started smoking as a teenager. Of the 50 million American’s that smoke, only 25% are over 18 years old. (Smoking, 26) Statistics clearly show that young people are the prime targets of tobacco sales. Throughout each year statistics show an increased in diseases contributed to smoking and second-hand smoke. Most people don’t realize the danger they are put in everyday from second-hand smoke. Teens are looking down on the information on smoking. In the end causing them to start to smoke at an early age by what they are shown from the media. Smoking is everywhere on T.V, magazines, movies, etc. Smokers may only think their decisions harms themselves, but in reality it kills others. (Smoking, 61)

Smoking is one of the leading causes of lung cancer, and heart disease. Smoke consists of finely divided solid and liquid particles suspended in a gas form. Although it is mostly made of carbon particles produced by the burning of fuel. Smoking is drawing tobacco smoke from a cigarette, cigar, or pipe into mouth often into lungs and puffing it out. In 1950 scientists gathered evidence that smoking is dangerous to ones heath. Deposits of small particulates in the smaller airways of the lungs can lead to a lung disease called emphysema. When smoking; large particulates are deposited on the mucous lining of the lungs and the larger airways that lead into the lungs. Overtime, large particulates and certain gases in smoke scar the lungs and damage the cilia, thousands of little hairs that line the airways. The cilia normally help move mucus and the pollutants that accumulate in mucus out of the lungs and toward the throat. (Encyclopedia, 520) In heavy smokers, the cilia are paralyzed and the pollutants stay in the lungs. One of the most serious and expensive problems in the U.S. is the addiction of tobacco smoking. People who are addicted to smoking tobacco are teenagers, adults, and the elderly. The number of people addicted to smoking tobacco has increased greatly over the past 5 years. Social problems and media are major reasons for this increase. (Encyclopedia, 520)

The head of these media companies are Marlboro and Camel. Marlboro uses a western character known as The Marlboro Man, and Camel uses the “smooth character” Joe Camel. Joe Camel who is shown as a camel with complete style has been attacked by many Tobacco-Free Kids organizations as a major influence on the children of America. Researchers at the Medical College of Georgia report that almost as many 6-year olds recognize Joe Camel as they do Mickey Mouse. That is very shocking information for any parent to hear. Children are attracted by these advertisements because they like cartoons, and they think that a cartoon is harmless and what the cartoon does is harmless too. There are so many cigarette advertisements out there that a child is sure to be struck by its attention. The companies deny that these symbols target people under 21 and claim that their advertising goal is simply to promote brand switching. The companies go toward a market that is not fully aware of the harm that cigarettes are capable of to keep their industry alive and well. (NCI, 1)

When kids were asked why they started smoking, they gave two contradictory reasons: They wanted to be a part of the crowd. Children don’t want to be left out, they want to be accepted. If their peers are smoking then they will want to smoke as well. They also want to reach out and rebel at the same time. When children are told over and over by more authoritative people not to do something, then they are going to do it. They do this just to get back at the authorities or to satisfy their curiosity. Teens also think of smoking as a sign of independence. Some adolescents often take up smoking if they have experienced depression. In late 1990’s, about 28% of men and 22% of women in the U.S 18 years old or older smoked cigarettes. Centers for disease control survey shows: 12.8% middle schools, and 34.8% high school students in the U.S. use tobacco products. The surprising thing is that these kids know that they are being influenced by cigarette advertising. (Smoking, 9)

With these are three things people can help to stop the future children of America from smoking. 1) Parents need to try to convince their children that smoking is not cool and only causes problems. If Parents talk to their children, then the children will be less likely to smoke. 2) Talk to your kids at a young age about the dangers of smoking. If children are informed of the dangers cigarettes provide then they will prevent themselves from smoking. Identify family members who smoke and ask them to quit. If children