ted fact that between Emphysema, lung cancer, and other smoking related diseases, the last few years of a dieing smokers life are agonizing. In some severe cases of emphysema people cant even breath by themselves let alone talk. In these cases, the people need machines to do both. Whats even worse is that the tobacco companies arent just going after adults. They target their advertisements towards kids. 90% of new smokers are children and teenagers. This is for many reasons. Children are more impressionable than any other demographic, and if they get addicted early than there is a good chance Big Tobacco has a customer for life, instead of just a portion of that life. An example of this advertisement is the now banned Joe Camel. Joe Camel was a cool cartoon character created by Camel brand cigarettes to sell their product. The first problem with this ploy was the fact that Joe was a cartoon. Cartoons obviously attract kids. Secondly, the cartoon was drawn to be extremely smooth and cool something that adolescents and teenagers strive their entire lives to be. A broader example is the presence of attractive woman and men appearing on billboards and in magazines holding a cigarette and having such a great time. Who doesnt want to be attractive and always having a good time?This is an excerpt from an interview of a friend who is an avid smoker.Q: When did you begin smoking?A: When I was 11.Q: How old are you now?A: 19Q: How often do you smoke?A: I smoke a pack a day, a little more if theres nothing to do at the firehouse.Q: Have you noticed any ill effects in that time?A: Well, last year I couldnt finish the mile and now in the morning I can barely breath. I wake up gasping for air. The excerpt speaks for itself, but obviously cigarettes have had a large effect on this mans life. He cant exercise without exhausting himself, he has trouble breathing sometimes he cant at all, and during the interview h...
