ame way cocaine and heroine do when used. “This activity increases levels of sundry neurotransmitters, such as dopamine and seratonin, inducing pleasurable feelings. Most drugs over activate the circuit so that addicts in danger will often turn to one or several substances.” (Leutwyler 2). The US surgeon general declared nicotine an addictive drug, comparable to other addictive substances in its ability to induce dependence. The report also called the monetary and human costs far greater than those attributed to cocaine, alcohol, or heroine. Recent evidence supports this claim, indicating that overall morality attributable to tobacco smoking is about twenty times the morality due to all other addictive drugs combined. (Encarta 5). The habit and addiction to nicotine usually begins at an early age. In the US, more than 70 percent of adults who smoke began smoking before the age of 18. This fact has led to particular concern over smoking in teenagers and young adults. From the early to mid 1990s the proportion of teenage smokers in the US rose from one-quarter to one-third, despite increasing warnings about the health hazards. (thetruth.com). “The federal Office on Smoking and Health estimates that 3,000 young people begin smoking every day.” (American 1). Advertisements aimed at a young audience are blamed for this new generation of smokers. One of the most popular cases was with R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. They were the creators of “Joe Camel,” the cartoon that looked extremely cool to young people. The Joe Camel magazine advertisements combined promotional pull-out sections, which offered neon Camel signs, Camel leather jackets and “Joes’s feet flip flop sandals” in exchange for coupons from Camel cigarette packs. The youth would have to smoke up to 600 packs of Camels to receive some of the advertised promotions. (American 1). The tobacco industry has had to...
