over ads targeting children and teenagers. The two companies under the most fire for their advertisements are Marlboro and Camel. Marlboro uses a fictional Marlboro Man, while Camel uses a high rolling and sophisticated cartoon character, Joe Camel. Camel has been attacked by several Tobacco-free organizations as a major influence on children. Dr. Lonnia Bristow of the American Medical Association remarks, To children, cartoon characters mean that the product is harmless, but cigarettes are not harmless. They have to know that their ads are influencing children under ten to begin smoking, but choose not to stop creating them (Thomas). Researchers have conducted studies that show six year olds recognize Joe Camel as well as they recognize Mickey Mouse. Every industry denies that their advertising goal targets people under twenty-one, and they claim their goal is to simply promote brand switching and brand loyalty (Breo). Jeff Pearlman sums up the attitude of the tobacco and advertising industries by saying, Is the use of a cartoon character in an ad proof that you are targeting children? If so, what about the Pink Panther selling insulation or Snoopy promoting insurance? (Bill Clinton...).The media and the entertainment industries have a major impact on smoking. With the help of movies and television, smoking seems cooler than ever. In the popular movie, My Best Friends Wedding, superstar Julia Roberts smoking habit seems glamorous and appealing to the viewers and, in past generations, smoking was romantic when Lauren Bacall and Humphrey Bogart smoked together (Trillin 2). Smoking in the movies is not only seen as glamorous and romantic, but it is also associated with stress reduction, or a relaxing activity (Bailey 39). The high rate of smoking in films has been the result of tobacco companies paying producers to place their brand of cigarettes in their movies since the 1930s (Bailey 39).In 1967, the Fairness Doctrine required equal tim...
