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How the Tobacco Industry Targets Teens

divinecaroline.com — Everyone that ’s worth their smoke in the tobacco industry knows that the only way to keep revenue growing is to replace your clientele—who die or quit—with fresh consumers. Since almost 90 percent of adult smokers take up the habit in adolescence—the industry refers to young people as the “replacement generation”.

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  • andybex, on 07/22/2008, -3/+45Yeah or they are marketing those products to 18-25 year olds such as myself.
    • aliengoods, on 07/22/2008, -5/+42So? At 18 you're legally allowed to smoke in most countries I've been to. What's the big deal?

      Also, everyone markets to teens. Clothing manufacturers, soda pop makers, and drug dealers. And if you're using the "tobacco kills you" argument, let me remind you that the number one cause of death is heart disease, not lung disease, and no one bitches when McDonald's sells "Happy Meals" to 5 year olds.

      It's about personal choices and responsibility, not a nanny state.
      • Animal, on 07/22/2008, -4/+12Actually I'm pretty sure that cigarettes are a very large contributor to heart disease, it's not just that they cause lung cancer. Although I agree on the nanny state comment.
      • schuder, on 07/22/2008, -4/+5If you want to kill yourself that's your business. I'm pretty sure the anti-smoking ads made me want to smoke more because they were so lame. I smoke occasionally and I've done it since I was around 18 or so and still enjoy cigars or cigarettes with some drinks at a bar (Virginia is cool about letting you smoke in bars). The only thing I would stipulate is that any self destructive actions not be covered by insurance, health care whatever (though I'm not really for any government involvement in those or much of anything else ideally).
      • nesagwa, on 07/22/2008, -5/+21"I'm pretty sure the anti-smoking ads made me want to smoke more because they were so lame."

        Funny you should mention that.

        TRUTH is funded by Phillip Morris. Reverse psychology at its finest.
      • esteskid, on 07/22/2008, -3/+2people bitch about McDonalds all the time that ***** even almost killed himself eating nothing but it for 30 days to prove something we all already knew
      • MWeather, on 07/22/2008, -0/+10Funded via legal requirement. They don't control the message at all, nor do they have a choice in which anti-smoking campaign to support.
      • CryRightardCry, on 07/22/2008, -1/+2Heart disease caused by obesity, brought on by mmmmmm Big Macs.
      • kingmanic, on 07/22/2008, -1/+3In the end it costs all of us, even in the states where there isn't universal healthcare. Your fathers mistake may cost you in medical bills. Your husbands, wifes, parents mistakes trickle down. It's an addictive substance. It removes some of the choice for you after a few uses. It's the antithesis of capitalism/libertarianism because the product itself chemically coerces you to but more. Smokers bitch because they need their addiction. People who believe in individual choice have a odd quandary because while the habit is a choice for those starting it becomes less of a "choice" through repeated use.
      • jerrycurley, on 07/22/2008, -6/+3That is such a stupid and weak argument that even YOU must realize how dumb you sound. Eating EXCESSIVE amounts of any food is bad. EAting moderate amounts is fine. Even McDonalds menu. There is NO amount of smoking that is not harmful.

        Oh, and by the way, just to point out why you argument is stupid twice..People DO complain about McDonalds.


        And esagwa...did you just expect people to believe the ***** you posted without questioning it? Because that is exactly what it is. Phillip Morris has been fighting TRUTH from the start.
      • MWeather, on 07/22/2008, -2/+4"It removes some of the choice for you after a few uses."

        No substance removes even a modicum of choice. Addiction is 100% your choice.
      • Gartland32, on 07/22/2008, -4/+1The biggest issue I have with cigarettes is that they not only affect the person smoking them, but everyone around them as well. Kill yourself if you want, just get that ***** out of my face, and your child's face.
      • MWeather, on 07/22/2008, -0/+2No problem. You can tell everyone on your property whether or not they can smoke, and I'll do the same. For places we both have the right to be, I'll compromise. I won't make you smoke if you don't make me not smoke.
      • Butros, on 07/22/2008, -0/+2If you smoke you get no part of medicaid or medicare or whatever Obama's cooking up. That's my stance
      • tyboulder, on 07/23/2008, -0/+1The 18-25 year-olds have an incredible influence on the kids younger than them. This smells of definite bullshiet. If people were truly "responsible enough" to take care of themselves we'd be able to cut hundreds of billions of dollars out of the federal goverment's budget, which happens to touch nearly aspect of the human experience.
      • MWeather, on 07/23/2008, -0/+1I'm fine with not receiving federal money for healthcare. I assume you won't be collecting taxes from me for services I don't receive, right? That includes the tobacco tax that is supposed to fund stuff like that.
    • mu0p, on 07/22/2008, -2/+2I started smoking around 16, then one day woke up and had a cigarette and was completely disgusted by its taste, and i used to LOVE the taste. What actually got me to start smoking was that 1st puff people would take, it smelt soooo goood to me.

      But anyways, we all know the tobacco industry is bad, but whats even worse is its play in the Drug War. Its already proven that Cigarettes are far more deadly then a Marijuana, yet ones illegal and the other is not. And what a lot of people don't know is the Tobacco and Alcohol Industry funds A LOT of the Anti-Drug ADs you see, because they want to make sure that you don't associate Tobacco/alcohol with the term "Drugs" When infact both Tobacoo/Alcohol are drugs themselves.

      I agree completely with "nanny-state" statement, I believe if someone knows Tobacco kills, and they still decide to use it, then thats their decision, and they have every ability to quit when they want.
      But I don't believe in the sneaky ways they are differentiating "drugs" from their own products.

      Also I want to state, Im not a cigarette basher, I can careless who smokes or who doesn't. I will say it does hurt me when I see people smoking, but in no way what-so-ever do I look at them different, in fact every time my friends go out to smoke, I usually go out with them to have a chat.

      But I am bashing the sneaky ways of the Tobacco industry. To me they should just be sold, no ads or nothing, I mean we ALL know what a cigarette is by the time were 2 without the help of Ads.
  • skewl, on 07/22/2008, -1/+59I think those commercials are stupid. If you don't know by now that smoking is harmful than a commercial isn't going to help. Those commercials are a waste of money.almost 90 percent of adult smokers take up the habit in adolescence.
    • KillPenguin, on 07/22/2008, -1/+10I think that the point of those commercials is to scar children into not smoking.
    • cl1tcommander, on 07/22/2008, -2/+4*then
    • bobbyi, on 07/22/2008, -0/+1And if you don't know by now that Coca Cola is refreshing, then a commercial won't help. Because the purpose of advertising is to make us privy to new information so that we can make informed choices.
      • Jlaugh, on 07/22/2008, -1/+1I'm pretty sure the purpose of advertising it to artificially manufacture desire, not to inform.
  • meshman, on 07/22/2008, -1/+47"In the Beginning There Was Candy"

    I remember these from 30 years ago. They were tasty. But what kind of a retard to you have to be to not know the difference between candy and cigarettes? I loved those things but they never once made me want to smoke cigarettes.

    The author lost all credibility with me for using the word "behooves" anyway.
    • tyboulder, on 07/23/2008, -0/+1"But what kind of a retard to you have to be to not know the difference between candy and cigarettes?"

      Apparently several multi-billion dollars companies and the Federal Government seem to think there's some sort of valid psychological link between the two.
    • flipdoubt, on 07/24/2008, -0/+2Yeah, but we all know that "it behooves ya to take care of your uvula".
      Old school SNL... Anybody?
    • tokyowalker, on 07/25/2008, -1/+1not everyone is as smart as you
  • stignordas, on 07/22/2008, -1/+37Ah, I remember those candy cigarettes, and the gum cigarettes which blew a puff of 'smoke.'
    • Stavrosian, on 07/22/2008, -11/+9It's insidious when you think about it, isn't it? I recall me and my friends happily fake-smoking with them in the playground, not even realizing we were being conditioned to turn into very real customers later in life.
      • MWeather, on 07/22/2008, -9/+4You were being turned into hyperactive, attention deficit, rotten toothed diabetics by the candy companies and you're pissed about it potentially making you smokers in the future providing the different taste, price and consumption mechanism didn't turn you off?

        Seriously?
      • Stavrosian, on 07/22/2008, -6/+5Yes?

        You don't see the obvious flaw in legitimizing cigarettes to children by presenting candy facsimiles? Seriously?
      • MWeather, on 07/22/2008, -2/+6"You don't see the obvious flaw in legitimizing cigarettes to children by presenting candy facsimiles?"

        Less so than legitimizing gunfights to children by presenting them with plastic facsimiles of guns.

        Unless of course you teach them about real vs make-believe.

        Your kids must be retarded if this is what you worry about.
      • randomsniper, on 07/22/2008, -1/+2Considering that cigarettes cannot be *legally* consumed by minors this whole retarded article is moot.
        I tried those candy cigs when I was a kid and thought they were disgustingly pale and they didn't make me smoke either.

        This is just another effort to escape responsibility.
      • tyboulder, on 07/23/2008, -0/+1Responsibility doesn't equal your definition of responsible, it equals society's definition. Hard to believe it, but there may be people out there who are less educated, less intelligent, or not blessed with supportive upbringing as you may have. These people are the prey these psychopathic companies seek out.
  • crxvfr, on 07/22/2008, -3/+29What company doesn't target teens? Geritol or Depends maybe, other than that, all companies try to develop lifelong customers by exploiting kids. The kids also offer companies effective leverage on their folks. Its the advertising agencies that are unethical.
    • Haoie, on 07/22/2008, -7/+5Yes, but unlike most other products, smoking is conclusively unhealthy to you no matter what you make of it.

      You might say something about fast food targeting kids, but at the very least, it's still edible and has some nutrition.
      • scallon, on 07/22/2008, -2/+6Idea: say no to the advertisements. I know "Holy *****!" right? Stick with me kid and I will blow your mind.
      • MWeather, on 07/22/2008, -1/+599% of the stuff market to kids is unhealthy. Even the damn lead-filled toys.
    • jerrycurley, on 07/22/2008, -3/+1Uhhh, because kids can't legally BUY cigarettes, moron. BIG difference between cigarrete companiest targeting kids and, say, Coca Cola doing the same.
      • MWeather, on 07/22/2008, -1/+5Well, if they can't legally buy them it shouldn't matter if they are marketed to kids. If kids are getting their hands on cigarettes despite their illegality, I don't think marketing is the problem.
  • tambird, on 07/22/2008, -23/+30The tobacco industry is a murderous master mind. They don't have a heart, they have two sets of iron lungs.
    • esteskid, on 07/22/2008, -0/+13so they have four iron lungs total?
      • SpectralSounds, on 07/22/2008, -1/+4Depends on how many come in each set... What if its a 5 piece set?
    • cnot3, on 07/22/2008, -2/+6And Rob Reiner is a saint. A fat ***** saint.
    • msheidi, on 07/23/2008, -1/+0People are going to smoke with or without the ads. WHATEVER!
  • AmyWhere, on 07/22/2008, -0/+17Minor error about blunts. The reason for the name is a specific size of cigars, and usually a specific brand called Phillies Blunt. They're cheap and available at corner stores, and can be unrolled and re-rolled with ganja.
  • phibit, on 07/22/2008, -1/+56"Kids don't smoke because a camel in sunglasses tells them to. They smoke for the same reason adults do, because it relieves anxiety and depression. And you'd be anxious and depressed to if you had to put up with these pathetic insecure striving anal yuppie parents who enroll you in college before you're old enough to know which side of the playpen smells the worst."
    -- George Carlin
    • jerrycurley, on 07/22/2008, -14/+1you ever think for yourself?
      • logosx1, on 07/23/2008, -0/+1You mean by accepting the dogma that people who choose to smoke are helpless victims?
    • kingmanic, on 07/22/2008, -1/+5Studies show smokers are more stressed over all then non smokers. The periods between smokes are distinctly more stressful while the period just after a smoke isn't significantly different stress wise from how non smokers are all the time.
    • accelleron, on 07/22/2008, -3/+12"They smoke for the same reason adults do, because it relieves anxiety and depression."

      *****. They start to smoke because it's the 'adult' and 'cool' thing to do, and because there's a perception that it relieves stress (nicotine is, in fact, a mild stimulant that makes you more stressful, not less.) They continue to smoke because of their addiction and the perceived difficulties of overcoming it.

      /recent quitter
      • rockrapdude, on 07/22/2008, -2/+2It relieves stress (when I went smoking, I had time to think about how things where and where to go forth). I had a fun time doing that (until my health couldn't bare with me).

        /also a recent quitter
      • Grolsch, on 07/23/2008, -4/+1O rly? I smoke because I can and not because its cool so speak about your own experience and dont generalize.
      • Gizza, on 07/23/2008, -0/+3"It relieves stress (when I went smoking, I had time to think about how things where and where to go forth). I had a fun time doing that (until my health couldn't bare with me)."

        I relieves the stress that is caused by your addiction to the cigarettes.
      • accelleron, on 07/23/2008, -0/+3@rockrapdude: It relieves stress only if you consider wearing uncomfortable shoes all day to feel relief when removing the shoe 'stress relief.' I simply realized smoking was a trap that had no value to me and dropped it.

        @grolsch: Ask yourself this: what has smoking ever given you? It causes the cravings it relieves. That it's a stress reliever is *****. Drink a cup of tea or coffee. The caffeine will have comparable effect, without you having to ruin your health or pay through the nose for it.

        @gizza: I see someone has been reading their carr.
    • kalvinb, on 07/22/2008, -1/+3Exactly. I started smoking because I was stressed out and it would relax me. Once you're addicted they're probably a lot less effective for that sort of thing. I wouldn't know because I never got addicted. I smoked at most 2 in one day and not every day. After awhile I decided to I should learn how to deal with stress in a healthier and cheaper way so I stuffed about 8 lit mildy stale cigarettes in my mouth and inhaled.

      And that was the end of that.

      The irony is that some friends of mine got really mad at me for smoking and one of them is now addicted themselves.

      If you accuse any kid of smoking just because they think it's cool then you're an ass. They're most likely stressed out and you need to figure out what's making them stressed and offer an alternative solution to dealing with it. By telling them they're doing it just to be cool means you recognize their need to fit in but at the same time insult them for it by focusing on the one thing they're NOT doing to fit in. Thereby not helping at all and just adding to their stress which is why they're smoking in the first place.
  • Nickdotnet, on 07/22/2008, -8/+49Go cry a ***** river. Everyone makes their own decisions. If someone is going to smoke let them, a cartoon camel isn't going to make or break the deal.
    • stignordas, on 07/22/2008, -7/+7Agreed, one cartoon isn't going to convince someone to smoke. But that still doesn't make it right. Mikes Hard Lemonade isn't exactly marketed to dads and moms, same problem.
      • Reasonableguy, on 07/22/2008, -2/+4If you're going to be influenced by a commercial into doing something, either you have a major medical problem that has somehow retarded the development of your brain, or you're four years old. Now, I can see marketing cigarettes at four year olds and people with 'learning disabilities' to be a problem, but I've been making informed decisions since the age of 12. And up until that age I didn't have anywhere near the degree of freedom necessary to even find any cigarettes, or alcohol for that matter. The responsibility lies not with the company that produces the item in question, but in the people who purchase it, or allow their children to purchase it.
      • tyboulder, on 07/23/2008, -1/+1You have absolutely no idea how powerful and influential marketing can be. Start with marketing 101, you'd be really surprised. Funny you toss around the word retarded so often.
  • JSimen, on 07/22/2008, -9/+2blunts are supposed to appeal to stoners, not kids. although stoners usually are kids.
    • h4k0r, on 07/22/2008, -0/+3 Sounds like somebodies a Stiffly Mcstifferson
    • Dragular, on 07/22/2008, -0/+2I loved that part of the article:

      "It’s funny that they advertise these as “blunts,” which, according to the dictionary, means it has been hollowed out and filled with marijuana."

      While yeah, that's what the slang term "blunt" is, I'm going to go with the Wikipedia article: "Blunts get their name from their 'broad or rounded tip', and were named as such in the 1800s to differentiate them from other cigars with a tapered, pointed tip."
    • flipdoubt, on 07/24/2008, -0/+2BZZZZ! Wrong! Not all those who smoke pot fit into the little stereotype box labeled "stoners". The cannabis plant's psychoactive properties are enjoyed by millions the world over, from all walks of life. Doctors, lawyers, scientists, businessmen, teachers, etc... contributing members of society that you see every single day and certainly wouldn't presume to be "stoners". I myself, am friends with a lawyer, dermatologist, and bio-chemist that smoke the stuff every single day, and have since high school. Kids are just more apt to "advertise" their use than working professionals.
  • algaeturd, on 07/22/2008, -6/+12Why wouldn't teenagers smoke? If I was growing up in this current political/social environment, I'd probably be smoking lots and lots of cigarettes and weed.
    • accelleron, on 07/22/2008, -1/+1For the same reasons you don't.
    • theonlywizdum, on 07/22/2008, -1/+6Really? I am in this generation and I can't ***** afford to buy cigarettes or weed.
  • itsjoshy, on 07/22/2008, -4/+6I disagree, those are targeted at women, now as a 17 year old that smokes I prefer Parliaments
    • theandyj, on 07/22/2008, -5/+0I prefer Marlboro Smooths they are like an amazing blend of mint and tobacco.
    • yosempai, on 07/22/2008, -2/+4Djarum Black cigarettes are quite tasty.
      Cloves FTW
    • insinuate, on 07/22/2008, -2/+2I prefer Apples over Oranges.
    • bearcat8543, on 07/22/2008, -0/+2p-funks for the f'in lose.
    • FishHammer, on 07/22/2008, -1/+1parliaments are disgusting, this 17 year old smokes marlboro reds
  • PSotter, on 07/22/2008, -3/+8Remember candy cigarettes where you blew into them and "smoke" came out? Those were awesome- and they're still around! Who says marketing cigarettes to kids is bad?!
    • MWeather, on 07/22/2008, -1/+2They used to sell real cigarettes in candy stores too. And 9/10 doctors recommended Lucky Strike for growing kids.
      • freefm, on 07/22/2008, -0/+2My Grandfather smoked lucky strikes since he was 7 before dieing 13 years ago in his 60s. He told me that the guy at the store recommended strikes to him.
      • MWeather, on 07/22/2008, -1/+1It took 50+ years to kill him? You'd think that would be long enough for willpower to kick in.
  • captmorgan555, on 07/22/2008, -3/+17At first glance i read "How the Taco Industry Target Teens".
  • JulieBrownfield, on 07/22/2008, -0/+13They still sell most of this stuff. You can get it a Powell's candy shop. They are a chain so you can search where you live. I have a pack of strawberry gum that literally says "Just Like Dad!" I've saved it as crazy memorabilia. It has a picture of good old dad smoking and a little boy looking up at him with admiration.
  • wexmajor, on 07/22/2008, -8/+20So we're not allowed to have candy that resembles cigarettes now? Buried for supporting censorship.
  • qwd1, on 07/22/2008, -6/+4someone told my 12 year old brother that if he smokes it'll make him concentrate better
  • thirteenthcor, on 07/22/2008, -10/+4Cigars better the hell not be lumped into big tobacco!! And im not talking corner store nasty ass phillies, im talking REAL cigars. Leave Real Cigars Alone!

    Goddamn i hate divine caroline, i wish the digg posts would let me know where the site is so i can just digg it down right then and there.
    • jerrycurley, on 07/22/2008, -1/+0You DO realize that the cigar fad ended years ago, and now when you lght one up, people all know you are just compensating for your gay partners *****, don't you?
      • thirteenthcor, on 07/25/2008, -0/+1Sure, the fad ended. Who ever said my interest was a fad?

        If you like smoking ***** in your spare time, that's your constitutional right. I will enjoy my cigars, you go and enjoy your indie films and your protestation of drug laws.
    • insinuate, on 07/22/2008, -1/+3If you run your mouse over the link it will show it to you right at the bottom left of both IE and Firefox...

      and wow, opening up IE to check this page out for a test, I forgot how ***** Digg is with Ads. Thank you, Adblock Plus, thank you.
    • doktorrocket, on 07/22/2008, -0/+3I haven't used it, but his firefox add-on:

      http://userscripts.org/scripts/show/11777

      lets you block digg articles by keywords so you never have to see them. Why that functionality wasn't built in ages ago is anyone's guess. And for the record, the site hosting the article is right under the title, before the description.
  • thirteenthcor, on 07/22/2008, -4/+26Free Market Economy anyone? It's not the governments job to tell us what it thinks we can or can't do, that's OUR job.
    • garyi113, on 07/22/2008, -2/+1Don't forget who profits the most from tobacco - the government.
      • skipdog172, on 07/22/2008, -1/+5Yeah you could put a tax on anything that sells in large quantities and the government will make a lot of money. I'm not sure what your point is.
    • jerrycurley, on 07/22/2008, -3/+5So, continue driving around with leaded gasoline and painting your house with lead paint.
    • citydragon, on 07/22/2008, -0/+2This comment wins.
    • tyboulder, on 07/23/2008, -0/+2Who thinks we live in a free market economy? Ever heard of the Federal Government? We live in a very highly regulated and very sophisticated version of a "free market economy." I cannot believe how many people dugg this. This is exactly what will come out of Bill O'Rielly's mouth if he covers this topic.
      • thirteenthcor, on 07/25/2008, -0/+1True Free Market Economics is Antithesis to any Regulation by the government outside of protecting its citizens.

        [[We live in a very highly regulated and very sophisticated version of a "free market economy."]]

        This sentence contradicts itself.

        If you want sophistication look at Europe, not here.

        And "billo" can kiss my ass.
    • bipolarruledout, on 07/23/2008, -0/+2Tell that to the DEA. Nicotine is widely considered to be more addictive than heroin yet I don't hear the rallying cries to ban cigarettes. I have no doubt in my mind that the only goal of the tobacco industry is to addict as many people as possible. There is no way to responsibly use these products when the industry is constantly either upping the nicotine or upping the additives which help deliver it faster to the brain and it's perfectly legal. This is to say nothing of the shameless marketing and other tactics.

      Even alcohol is aggressively regulated in comparison to tobacco products.
  • cnot3, on 07/22/2008, -0/+12Nobody who buys grape philly blunts smokes the tobacco. This artilce should be titled, "How the Tobacco Industry Targets Weed Smokers."
    • MWeather, on 07/22/2008, -1/+3Weed smokers must be kids, then. Apparently adults don't like grapes.
  • charlesray, on 07/22/2008, -2/+8Wait, this new bill wouldn't ban flavored cigars/cigarillos, would it? I love those.
  • Air420, on 07/22/2008, -3/+24Hitler was a non-smoker. ***** the Tobacco Gestapo.
    • DrewBlood, on 07/22/2008, -1/+2I don't disagree with the sentiment but I HATE that argument. Do you hate everyone that has the same favorite color he had or has the same favorite food he had? It's totally irrelevant.
    • alexforcefive, on 07/23/2008, -0/+1My sarcasm meter must be off today. There's no way so many people could digg such a retarded comment except in the name of humour
  • norman619, on 07/22/2008, -0/+9Umm...the law can't keep illegal drugs out of the hands of minors yet we expect it to work with tobacco?
    • accelleron, on 07/22/2008, -1/+4Actually, tobacco is a lot less likely to get into the hands of minors because the clerk at the 7-11 doesn't want to lose his job for selling tobacco to a minor. Drug dealers don't ID.
      • norman619, on 07/22/2008, -2/+2LOL!!! How cute. You actually believe kids only have access to cigs in stores. I see kids smoking all the time. More so than illegal drugs so they are buying them from somewhere.....
    • tyboulder, on 07/23/2008, -0/+1Okay, you're absolutely right. I give up, let's just let the government tax and sell crack, meth and heroin at the local gas station. The war on drugs is ridiculous, but so is letting cigarette companies clearly market to minors.
  • Nicksname1, on 07/22/2008, -1/+15FTA:
    "It’s funny that they advertise these as “blunts,” which, according to the dictionary, means it has been hollowed out and filled with marijuana. How come bongs have to be disguised as water pipes, but the tobacco industry gets to market their marijuana paraphernalia so openly? I’m not saying weed should necessarily be illegal, but … ain’t it?"

    Im pretty sure it is described as "Blunt" because of the tip of the cigar, similar to the way the wood tip ones say "Wood Tip" this author is a bit mildly retarded and makes some stupid points.
    • silverharbinger, on 07/22/2008, -0/+6My other favorite quote that needed fixing was right at the beginning:

      "Everyone that’s worth their smoke in the tobacco industry knows that the only way to keep revenue growing is to replace your clientèle—who die or quit—with fresh consumers.. the industry refers to young people as the “replacement generation”—they’re the main target of marketing campaigns"

      It should read:

      "Everyone that’s worth their *weight in any* industry knows that the only way to keep revenue growing is to replace your clientèle—who die or quit *using their products or services*—with fresh consumers.. *any* industry refers to young people as the “replacement generation”—they’re the main target of marketing campaigns."

      There. It doesn't sound like such a conspiracy anymore, does it?
  • thirdeyeopen, on 07/22/2008, -3/+10ummm.... smoking's bad, mmmkay?
  • ReeferChiefer42, on 07/22/2008, -4/+8Smoke to get high, not to die.
  • h4k0r, on 07/22/2008, -0/+6Breaking News: Big Tobacco companies are still doing what they have been doing for 50 years!!!!!!
  • dankenstein, on 07/22/2008, -6/+5Active Ingredient in 99% of cough drops: Menthol, 4.8mg, Oral Pain Reliever
    Net effect on mentholated cigarettes: Users can smoke more of them without feeling as much pain.
    Clever bastards aren't they?
  • Sackula, on 07/22/2008, -1/+6The government needs something better to do with its time. Let us make our own decisons and you go do what we elected you to do in the first place.
    • jerrycurley, on 07/22/2008, -3/+0The government has a duty to protect its citzens. And when your incredibly weak mind causes you to smoke, you hurt EVERYONE. Higher health insurance premiums, lost productivity that hurts the economy, etc.

      Just because your life sucks so much that your brain needs fatal chemicals to make you feel good about your life dos not mean that everyone should suffer.
      • Jlaugh, on 07/22/2008, -0/+1Or we could have universal healthcare with the same premiums for everyone.
      • logosx1, on 07/23/2008, -0/+0First, smokers cost less to insure because they die sooner. Second, if the government were really trying to "protect" us from cigarettes, why not outlaw them? Third, it is not the federal government's job to protect individuals from their own choices -- the States can try out that philosophy if they want, so people like you can move to one of those States and leave the rest of us alone.
    • msheidi, on 07/23/2008, -0/+1exactly, I thought we lived in a free country.
  • PlayingGangsta, on 07/22/2008, -2/+11Cigarette ads are not allowed on television. Anti-smoking ads are allowed on television. Whatever happened to fair fights? I want to see a walking, talking Joe Camel!
  • villainousT, on 07/22/2008, -0/+10In this day and age people who want to smoke will smoke. Sure you can blame it on peer pressure portraying it as cool or even in commercials and print ads. Really that only goes so far and if someone doesn't like it then they'll obviously stop pretty quickly.

    They've done everything - Ban it in public places, bars, etc..
    Magically people still smoke. I do, granted it's not very often, but I love smoking.
    Maybe it's because they want to? Shocking...
    • yosempai, on 07/22/2008, -0/+3I only smoke during the summer. Its too cold outside otherwise.
    • jerrycurley, on 07/22/2008, -3/+3Magically people still smoke...Yes...but the number of people that "magically" still smoke is MUCH lower than in years/decades past. therefore, all the things you are deriding are obviously working.
      • villainousT, on 07/22/2008, -2/+3It's dropped because it's unhealthy to be a regular smoker. It's one reason I'm not. The 20% that still smoke do so because they actually enjoy it. It's just annoying to read odd articles like this is all. I wasn't deriding anything, I was simply stating that even with as difficult as they try to make it to smoke, people still make the choice to do so.. It's satisfying. My initial comment was a bit convoluted, sorry.
    • kingmanic, on 07/22/2008, -2/+2The tactics work. The percentage of Americans smoking have dropped drastically since those initiatives took place. From nearly 50% of the US at it's peak to around 20% now.
      • johnmearns, on 07/22/2008, -2/+0Perhaps that has more to do with the public knowing just how unhealthy cigarettes are now then it does with making them go outside or pay an extra $1 for their pack.
      • kingmanic, on 07/22/2008, -0/+2JohnMearns: It's all part of it. By making people go outside you're ostracizing them and "demoralizing" the behavior. The lack of advertisement to kids makes it less prevalent and the lack of movies roles that smoke reduces it's cultural acceptance. Trust me, my friends who started smoking knew full well it was bad for them. And they quite partly because of that knowledge and the fact it started becoming a pain in the ass to go outside in the middle of winter when we went clubbing. That single inconvenience pushed them more then the knowledge it would make their last 10 years painful and miserable.
      • twrife, on 07/27/2008, -0/+1You also have to take into account that many of these "initiatives" include taxes on tobacco.
        People will stop doing a lot of things if they can't afford it.
  • darny, on 07/22/2008, -0/+3FTA: "It’s funny that they advertise these as “blunts,” which, according to the dictionary, means it has been hollowed out and filled with marijuana. How come bongs have to be disguised as water pipes, but the tobacco industry gets to market their marijuana paraphernalia so openly? I’m not saying weed should necessarily be illegal, but … ain’t it?"

    People started calling pot-stuffed cigars blunts because they used blunts to make them. What came first, the chicken or the egg? The cigar blunt or the marijuana blunt? This case, the cigar blunt.
    • Jlaugh, on 07/22/2008, -1/+1It's because the Tobacco industry has lot's of lawyers where as the bong makers don't.
  • omyard, on 07/22/2008, -9/+41) I use to have candy cigarettes as a kid because my Mom smoked. I came out with out of my childhood without a nicotine habit.

    2) A few months ago I was out drinking and someone gave me a Swisher Sweet. Not knowing any better I smoked it. The next morning my mouth tasted like someone ***** in it. Those things taste horrid. If anyone is dumb enough to find those good then they deserve the lung cancer they'll bring on.
    • jerrycurley, on 07/22/2008, -4/+3Wow...you are an adult and still give into the peer pressure of "Hey...try this!"
    • FishHammer, on 07/23/2008, -0/+2you don't inhale Swisher Sweets. In fact, cigars are one of the least damaging ways to smoke. (unless you're smoking 10 a day for your whole life, and even then)
  • fiberspy, on 07/22/2008, -3/+9Those truth ads made me start smoking....I just really needed one after seeing those fags all over my tv all day
    • kevdotbadger, on 07/22/2008, -0/+5(fags = cigarettes, not gay guys.)
    • tyboulder, on 07/23/2008, -0/+1What? It seems the average age is falling along with the collective IQ on digg.
  • ammundsen, on 07/22/2008, -2/+3The first study cited claims causation between candy cigarettes and real use later. There might be correlation, but I doubt they can prove causation. Not to mention the differences in groups is rather small and not suggestive that candy cigarettes are very effective in converting kids to real smokers. Tobacco has been unfairly vilified. Both doctors and laymen routinely pass out bad information about the effects of tobacco. I dont think they server their cause well by having such a biased outlook. Their exaggerations cause them to lose credibility.
    • accelleron, on 07/22/2008, -3/+1I could type out a really long, angry comment about how much you sound like a tobacco industry shill, but the little red thumbs down is much more convenient.
  • TsuruchiBrian, on 07/22/2008, -1/+7"Institute found that teens are three times more likely to smoke flavored cigarettes than adult smokers are. And it’s no surprise—established smokers rarely switch brands. The sweet ones are for the pink-lunged."

    Well if they don't switch brands, they'd better switch flavors because you are going to be the butt (pun unintentional but still cool) of every joke if you are still smoking Jolly Rancher flavored cigarettes but the time you graduate high school.

    Now for the serious stuff...

    For minors:
    Why does it matter what kind of advertising tobacco companies do? Shouldn't parents be in charge of making sure their kids don't smoke? Aren't there already laws making the sale of tobacco to minors illegal? Am I as an adult to be prohibited from buying and using candy flavored cigarettes because parents can't control their kids? This is a bit ridiculous.

    For adults:
    Adults should be able to smoke whatever the hell they want. We don't need laws to protect people from themselves. I don't care what flavors of cigarettes 18-24 year olds get hooked on. They are adults and have a right to do whatever they want to their own bodies. When you say that an 18 year old can not be trusted to make a rational decision to start smoking, then we have abandoned the fundamental construct of society that adults are responsible for their own actions.

    That said, I am an adult who even as a minor chose not to start smoking. It does not bother me when other people do as long as it's not in my house. I don't mind if restaurants allow smoking because I can just choose to eat somewhere else. I definitely don't mind when people are smoking outside. We need to stop treating adults like children and place more responsibility in the hands of parents and adults in general.
    • tyboulder, on 07/23/2008, -0/+1Yeah, parents SHOULD be in charge. Laws SHOULD work.
  • kevdotbadger, on 07/22/2008, -2/+7.... SMOKE ........



    .... SMOKE ........
  • moditripit, on 07/22/2008, -1/+4Correction. "How the Tobacco Industry Targets Weak/Vulnerable Teens" I managed to survive just fine through my teen years. Let's start putting some responsibility on ourselves and quit blaming others.
  • TexanRudeBoy, on 07/22/2008, -3/+3LMFAO!!! No one actually smokes Swishers or Phillies, their sole purpose is to be re-rolled, the tobacco companies know this.
  • doktorrocket, on 07/22/2008, -1/+9You can have my Big League Chew when you pry it from my cold dead hands.
    • dwhitbeck, on 07/22/2008, -4/+1Keep chewing, it won't be long now.
  • insinuate, on 07/22/2008, -3/+7"I smoke. If this bothers anyone, I suggest you look around at the world in which we live and shut your *****' mouth." - Bill Hicks
  • KingGorilla, on 07/22/2008, -0/+2I always thought they used Film Noir
  • solarpanelasses, on 07/22/2008, -1/+2just like daddy!
  • QualityGal, on 07/22/2008, -5/+6I will never understand why people start smoking today. So much information is available about the health effects of smoking... Yeah, I get why people started a few decades ago, when tobacco companies spread misinformation... but I just don't get it now.
    • bipolarruledout, on 07/23/2008, -0/+2Nicotine is a hell of a drug.
  • Maelfyn, on 07/22/2008, -1/+5I'm more concerned about religious organizations that target children. It's more hazardous for your health than tobacco.
  • mwrl, on 07/22/2008, -1/+4People smoke because they want to, like it, and don't care. Life is short, might as well enjoy it. I don't smoke, but I think it is wrong for a bunch of hippie morons to ban smoking because they don't like it.
  • jamie191817, on 07/22/2008, -7/+4Smoking is evil, i gave up about 2 months ago, and its just so f'ing crap, i cant think to do anything. Cigarettes should be banned.
  • sb66, on 07/22/2008, -3/+3Its ridiculous that people who deal in weed can get years in prison for selling a product that has never killed a single person...while people who deal in tabacco are treated as respectable members of society, even though they sell something that has killed hundreds of thousands of people.

    • mwrl, on 07/22/2008, -1/+2It might have something to do with the mind altering effects which are not present in Tobacco.
      • bipolarruledout, on 07/23/2008, -0/+2And Alcohol?

        Your also an idiot if you don't think that nicotine is a mind altering substance.
  • bincoder, on 07/22/2008, -0/+4People who attempt to decide for me whether I can or should smoke and how much I have to pay to the bottomless rathole called taxes in order to pay for the support and breeding of illegal aliens because i'm evil and a bad person for smoking only succeed in making me smoke more.
  • gilbes, on 07/22/2008, -1/+5What a poorly researched article.

    1. Candy cigarettes targeted kids in a different day and age when less was know. hey do not currently "target" teens with this anymore. However, the title of the article may make you think otherwise.

    2. Sweet, falovored tobacco is nothing new and not neciserrily target at teens, the article strains to make that weak connection without proof. The fact is fruit flavored tobacco has been what hooka smokers have done for a very long time. There are dozens of small specialty tobacco makers that make fruit and candy flavored cigarettes. These are hardly marketed and certainly not marketed at kids. Flavoring tobacco is nothing new and does not prove its aimed at kids.

    3. The old racist black people smoking menthols BS, with a new twist that it is aimed at black kids. While it is true (according to studies) that most black smokers (kids or not) smoke menthols, tobacco companies sell more menthol cigarettes to white people than black. So it follows that cigrette marketing to black people would focus on menthols, but that does not mean all menthol marketing is targeted twords black people, and it so happens that it is not. Since when are any kids going gaga for the flavor of mouthwash mint anyway? Mint isn't a flavor typically associated as the most popular with children or any race.
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