GET READY TO QUIT
Sometimes you have to get a different perspective to see the light. I recall an episode of The Beverly Hillbillies when Jed Clampett pondered a question about something that seemed very silly to him: "Why would anyone want to take a plant, roll it up in a piece of paper, stick it in their face, and set fire to it?"
Why indeed? A good question to ask as we approach The American Cancer Society's 31st anniversary of the Great American Smokeout on Thursday, November 15. When you listen to the common wisdom of Jed, it all seems silly. At one point, people didn't think it looked so silly---in fact, it looked cool. For decades, people have been influenced by powerful media images.
Some old cigarette ads from the 1940's included a variety of gimmicks, and people bought it.
For example…Philip Morris boasted that their cigarettes were less irritating.
"All smokers inhale--but your throat needn't know it."
(Until the cancer sets in, and then all your body parts will know.)
You think that's bad? Kool Cigarettes featured a penguin and promised that it would clear your head like Vicks Vapor Rub.
"They're mildly mentholated. Light up and feel that instant refreshment. Smoke long--your throat and tongue stay cool and smooth… your mouth clean and fresh."
(…your lungs coated in tar.)
Before the cute, cartoon Joe Camel was used, Camels' pitch-man was Santa Claus. His jolly image covered the carton to make gift-giving easy---no wrapping needed.
"There's an added pleasure in giving Camels at Christmas."
(Remember the nativity with nicotine. Nothing celebrates the lord's birth like rich tobacco flavor; and with all that second-hand smoke, it's the gift that keeps giving.)
Our parents will say that nobody knew the dangers. The best warning our moms ever got was when the obstetrician advised them to blow the smoke in the other direction while they were breast feeding us. But today, the American Cancer Society offers these facts: Cigarettes kill more Americans than alcohol, car accidents, suicide, AIDS, homicide, and illegal drugs combined--that's 1,200 people every day. A hundreds of those are non-smokers who die from heart disease.
Smokers cry about their "rights." Yes, we all have rights and sometimes two rights come into conflict, and that's when the courts decide whose right is more important. How can anyone argue that the right to smoke is more vital than the right to breathing clean air? Would Samuel Adams' patriots have rallied behind the cause of the right to light up in ye olde public house?
Maybe Bogart or Bond made it look glamorous on the big screen---for some reason that's proven to be a powerful motivator for young people to inhale carcinogens. But, I'm sure the men who wore powdered wigs in Adams' day thought they looked pretty cool too. The statistics should help people's judgement evolve, before they become one of those stats. Remember this---who was more macho than the original Marlboro man himself? Of course, he ultimately died of, what else? Lung Cancer.
Comments
Well-written. Post this wherever smokers are to be found.
Posted by: Anne Wilmot | November 2, 2007 12:40 PM
Remeber early this year when you guys met up with FOX59 in Indy? Where are the treats for Tracy and Angela? Go Colts?
Posted by: Cameron FOX59 | November 3, 2007 7:19 PM
Well..that's a very tidy and easy rebuttal against smoking. Have you considered the economic impact it would have on the coutry if everyone quit? Those of us whose are either addicted or just chose to smoke pour millions of dollars in taxes, etc. into the economy. If they stop taxing us, they'll start taxing your coffee, tea, bottled water, and burgers. Like it or not, and I'm sure you don't...smoking contributes to the economic base of this country.
Posted by: Christine | November 3, 2007 8:27 PM
Well put Larry. I had never thought of it from that perspective - the right to smoke vs. the right to breathe clean air. I teach 8th grade History and like to infuse in my class topical events for discussion - this is one of them!
Thanks,
JoAnn
Posted by: JoAnn | November 4, 2007 12:18 AM
Interesting point about individual rights Larry. You know, people also have a right not to listen to people chatting away on their cell phones about the mundane details of their lives while they are riding public transportation to work, fine dining with the lady/man of the night, or waiting in line at the Walgreens to purchase their cigarettes. Not to mention the dangers of these people on our crowded expressways. Obviously the conversation for tonights dinner is much more important that paying attention to the driving task. Yes, smoking is harmful to an individuals health, so is breathing air and eating food. Forget about the courts dictating what individuals do about smoking, let the free market and cooperation among individuals decide where smoking should or should not be allowed. As for the "celling" while driving people, put down the phone and I'll put down the butt when we are in an elevator together.
Posted by: Tom Ryan | November 26, 2007 6:56 AM