Of all the lies advertising tell us, the ones told in cigarette ads are the most lethal. The tobacco industry is in the business if getting children addicted to nicotine, this is because 90% of the children according to Jean Kilbourne start smoking before they are 18. If you don’t start smoking when you are very young, the chances are you will never start.
Almost nothing good can be said of cigarettes unlike other potentially dangerous products such as alcohol. There is no such thing as low use. People start smoking and become addicted for many reasons and no one suggests that tobacco advertising is the primary one. However cigarette ads target the most vulnerable one.
Research shows an association between exposure to advertising and adolescent smoking behavior; sudden rises in adolescent smoking coincide with large scale cigarette promotional campaigns. It is not that the young see an ad and immediately start to smoke but seeing the ads and handling cigarette packs and promotional gift lessens their resistance weakens their resolve so later they will somewhat be willing to accept a cigarette when offered.
It is clear that targeted ads do influence the young.
Jean Kilbourne had her first cigarette when she was thirteen. She was lonely and depressed, felt awkward and had very low self esteem. She liked the way cigarette made her feel high and calm at the same time. She states the she did not become addicted to cigarettes because of advertising. Cigarettes smoking was constantly glamorized and assumed to be safe and socially desirable.
Ads claim that smoke fills you up when you feel empty inside. An angry woman is still often considered to be terribly unfeminine and undesirable. What does one do with all that suppressed rage? Why not have a cigarette or another piece of cake. Suppressed anger also plays an important role in alcoholism and in eating disorders.
Cigarettes advertisers are aware that women are likely to use smoking as a way to regulate other moods. A Marlboro ad features a worried looking baby saying “Before you scold me mom… may be you better light up a Marlboro.” Girls who are susceptible to addiction are the ones who are the least tough, most vulnerable, feeling most in need of a tougher image for protection. Cigarette ads offer smoking to women as a way to control their emotions. Phalli imagery, sexual innuendo is often used in cigarette ads along with exotic subliminal images.
Almost nothing good can be said of cigarettes unlike other potentially dangerous products such as alcohol. There is no such thing as low use. People start smoking and become addicted for many reasons and no one suggests that tobacco advertising is the primary one. However cigarette ads target the most vulnerable one.
Research shows an association between exposure to advertising and adolescent smoking behavior; sudden rises in adolescent smoking coincide with large scale cigarette promotional campaigns. It is not that the young see an ad and immediately start to smoke but seeing the ads and handling cigarette packs and promotional gift lessens their resistance weakens their resolve so later they will somewhat be willing to accept a cigarette when offered.
It is clear that targeted ads do influence the young.
Jean Kilbourne had her first cigarette when she was thirteen. She was lonely and depressed, felt awkward and had very low self esteem. She liked the way cigarette made her feel high and calm at the same time. She states the she did not become addicted to cigarettes because of advertising. Cigarettes smoking was constantly glamorized and assumed to be safe and socially desirable.
Ads claim that smoke fills you up when you feel empty inside. An angry woman is still often considered to be terribly unfeminine and undesirable. What does one do with all that suppressed rage? Why not have a cigarette or another piece of cake. Suppressed anger also plays an important role in alcoholism and in eating disorders.
Cigarettes advertisers are aware that women are likely to use smoking as a way to regulate other moods. A Marlboro ad features a worried looking baby saying “Before you scold me mom… may be you better light up a Marlboro.” Girls who are susceptible to addiction are the ones who are the least tough, most vulnerable, feeling most in need of a tougher image for protection. Cigarette ads offer smoking to women as a way to control their emotions. Phalli imagery, sexual innuendo is often used in cigarette ads along with exotic subliminal images.