JRM>Second...blaming cigarette companies for teen-age smoking
   >is like blaming hot fudge sundaes for fat people.
JRM>Teenagers have a choice...no one forces them to begin a
   >potentially lethal habit.
RT> While I can't disagree totally with you, it is a fact that
RT> cigarette companies DO tailor some of their advertising to
RT> target teens and preteens.
And?  I have never seen any studies (scientific or
other wise) that show advertising was one of the main
reasons that teenagers STARTed smoking.  The fact that
rock/movie/sports stars smoke has been shown to have an
effect on teenagers STARTing smoking.
The key word (just in case you couldn't guess ) is
START.  Ads do tend to affect which brand a teen uses
but no more so then the brand that their 'star' smokes.
And a lot less then the brand that their friends think
is hip/cool/in.
RT> Further, it is a fact that cigarette companies DO make their
RT> product available to teens and preteens in third world
RT> countries... presumably in hopes of getting them hooked in
RT> order to create a market when they are older.
And who is holding those teens and preteens down and
sticking cigarettes in their mouths?
RT> In that respect, tobacco companies ARE at least partially
RT> responsible for teenage smoking.
Only because they make the product.  Other wise
firearms companies are responsible for teens and
preteens using their product illegally.  And car
companies when they use their product.
If the product is dangerous then make it illegal or a
controlled drug.  If it isn't then don't blame the
manufacture for its use.
IMNHOP, this is just another attempt for people to duck
responsibility and put the blame on someone other then
themselves.
                      Remember:  Freedom isn't Free!
--- timEd-B11
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