Addiction to Poison
One of the most serious and expensive problems in the U.S. is the addiction to tobacco
smoking. People who are addicted to smoking tobacco range in all ages, from young teens to
senior citizen adults. The number of people addicted to smoking tobacco has increased highly
over the last 5 years.("The Re-hooked Generation"": 02.) Social problems and media promotion
are major reasons for this increase.
Smokers are every where with their foggy sphere of cigarette smoke. The large number of
cigarette butts that could be found in the streets, parks, play grounds, bus stops, and other places
is one proof of the increased numbers of smokers. High school students can be seen smoking
tobacco on their way home. College students also can be seen on campus smoking tobacco.
Celebrities, especially movie stars, are smoking on TV shows and movies. Leading Hollywood
actors John Travolta, Leonardo DiCaprio, Silvester Stallone, Sharon Stone, Brad Pitt and Julia
Roberts are some examples of the many celebrities that smoke on screen.
(www.mascotcoalition.) One might say that most of those celebrities play in movies that are
supposed to be viewed adults. Which may have some truth. Still, smoking is going on in movies
targeted for children like Ghostbusters II, Home Alone 2 (Lost in New York), Honey I Shrunk
the Kids, Kindergarten Cop, Men in Black, My Best Friend's Wedding, The Nutty Professor and
"Over 30 percent of all people in the United States of America are heavy smokers
/addicts- of tobacco."Current smokers rose from 22 percent to 35 percent between 1994 and
2000." says Dr. Richard Clayton, ("The Re-hooked Generation"" On health: 04.) Surprisingly,
the big percentage of smokers, 72 percent, is between the ages of 14-25, and this generation was
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