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Media contributes to smoking habits
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Anonymous user Tue Nov 28, 2006 11:19:54 PST
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0 responses 0 comments The media has a profound effect on our lives, but do we really know how much?
We think we’re in complete control, but sometimes we’re not as in charge as we assume. Tricks like product placement and advertising are used by the tobacco industry to trap new customers. If their tricks are not caught, they might take control of your life.
Product placement has been a part of movies, music and television for a long time. Tobacco companies have taken advantage of this trend, and have even placed cigarette ads in some movies. They place these ads with hopes that people, namely teenagers, will see them and think they’re noteworthy.
Smoking, no matter how it’s portrayed by actors, is unhealthy and a horrible habit to tie your life up in. It can disrupt your life, no matter how bad your life seems without smoking. The trick with product placement is that no warnings are necessary. This is the way the tobacco companies try to get away with passing smoking off as positive.    
Magician and self-responsibility advocate Bob Fellows tries his best to inform the public of these media tricks. He believes that people should know the truth about these tricks. His message is to simply grab the reigns and take control.
“Take charge of your own life. People can be fooled no matter how smart they are,” said Fellows.   
Fellows also believes people should learn to be more assertive. Only then can they start to understand what they’re in control of, and how they’re being fooled by the tobacco companies.
Still think you’re in control of your life?  The next time you think of accepting a cigarette, think again. When you can recognize  media tricks, you can be in control of your decisions with complete knowledge of the advertising industry.
— Jenny Gonzales is a student at Taft Union High School.

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