The Advertisement of Harmful Products
Psychological Persuasion through advertising: Why tobacco companies are still in business.
With continuing advancements in medical research, the harsh reality of tobacco smoke becomes more evident. The deadly effect of smoking tobacco is gaining notoriety in society, and a general social movement towards a smoke-free environment is becoming the norm. Regardless of these obstacles, tobacco companies are determined to stay in business, and absorb the growing backlash against smoking.
One main weapon of defense for the tobacco companies is their ability to draw new costumers through persuasive advertising. The majority of new smokers are between the ages of fourteen and twenty-one. Coinciding, the majority of smoking ads are projected to a younger crowd, attempting to dissolve a younger persons's resistance to smoking. Campaigns such as the cartoon "Joe Camel" seem to be directed towards a younger audience. Psychologist John Pierce, of the University of California, says "advertising reduces the conc...
"Smoking Bans and the Tobacco Industry." Issues & Controversies. Facts On File News Services, 1 July 2013. Web. 4 Dec. 2013. .
Smoking tobacco in the cigarette form was extremely popular in the early part of the 20th century. Many people joined in the popular habit, got addicted, and had no fear of the future consequences or health concerns. Many people were under the impression that smoking was good for their bodies, and were unaware of the unhealthy side affects that cigarette smoking caused. Some famous people like Walt Disney, Ty Cobb, and Babe Ruth all were killed from their love of tobacco. Soon enough more and more cases of lung, throat, and mouth cancers began popping up all over the place, but people were reluctant to blame their beloved tobacco. It wasn’t until 1964 when Surgeon General Luther Terry stated that smoking causes lung cancer in people who smoke and inhale the fumes, that perceptions on smoking began to change. Since the findings of the Surgeon General, there has been an on going battle between pro-smoking, and anti-smoking groups over the rights of smokers. As the non smoking movement is growing at a rapid pace, and smoking bans have been ruled to not violate the 1st Amendment. In the last decade we have banned smoking in almost all public areas from bars and restaurants, offices, malls, and living quarters. The smoking bans are one effective way to abolish smoking, but it fails to address the major component in smoking; addiction to nicotine, and the psychological effect it has on users. Unfortunately, there isn’t an easy way to end smoking. This is because treatment plans have such a small level of success. Medical treatment such as prescription medication often have more side effects than positive effects for the user. But one product has been making huge gains in the fight to quit tobacco, and that is the electronic cigarette...
There are many explicit premises in this article that I will examine. The first premise is that, Tobacco companies have been and continue to be involved in undermining scientific evidence that documents the health hazards of secondhand smoke. This is more than an hidden assumption, reference from the Los Angles Times reported in November 1999 that the major cigarette companies "are engaged in a far-reaching campaign to discredit evidence that secondhand smoke is harmful to human health." This is my second premise. Here, there is an implied notion that the Los Angels Times conducted a study to find these findings true. The third premise states, Tobacco industry allies recycle old myths and propaganda - and continue to plant the seeds of confusion and doubt as to the economic effects of smoke free air policies - before legislatures and city councils. Here we see the strong initiative that the tobacco companies especially Philips and Morris take to attack policies that go against their business. The next premise is the fourth premise, As in the past, tobacco companies have continued to create and hide behind front groups to lobby against tobacco control and public health policies. This is another implied notion, which we can say that tobacco companies are trying to control the regulations on tobacco.
The prevalent use of tobacco products among Americans is an important issue that should be brought to the surface. This issue should be raised because many of the diseases and illnesses associated with tobacco use are preventable. Most individuals are aware of the health threats associated with tobacco use, but are unable to quit. As future healthcare professionals, part of our duty is to educate the public about these health threats as well as help tobacco users quit. Throughout this paper we will inform about the various tobacco products, the effects they pose on the body, cessation options and strategies available for users, and learning outcomes.
Some people may wonder why there are restrictions on tobacco advertising, and others will give facts to argue reasons why. The FDA believes Tobacco Companies aim their products towards minors though Tobacco Companies deny they do, yet they claim their target audience is from the ages 18 through 21. Though these are the age groups they hope to target, other age groups are being targeted as well. These age groups are children younger than the age of three years old. In the article Smooth Sell by Susan Cohen, Tye, a man who was getting an MBA in 1985 at Stanford University was driving through the south of San Francisco with his 5-year-old daughter when she spotted a Marlboro billboard that excited her so much she began squealing with delight. He explains, “She was jumping up and down and saying, ‘Look, Daddy, horses!’” as they passed the glossy image of galloping hooves splashing through a stream. Tye says he realized with a shock that, whether Philip Morris intended to or not, its imagery was reaching children (Cohen). Children have been sucked into the imagery Tobacco Companies provide to advertise their products. Dues to the imagery reaching young audiences advertising was banned on television and broadcasting.
Smoking cigarettes is a detrimental practice not only to the smoker, but also to everyone around the smoker. According to an article from the American Lung Association, “Health Effects” (n.d.), “Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in the U.S., causing over 438,000 deaths per year”. The umbrella term for tobacco use includes the use of cigarettes, cigars, e-cigs and chewing tobacco. While tobacco causes adverse health consequences, it also has been a unifying factor for change in public health. While the tobacco industries targets specific populations, public health specifically targets smokers, possible smokers, and the public to influence cessation, policies and education.
Tobacco use is a debate worldwide and everyone has their own opinions about the issue. This is such a controversial issue because of the many different health risks, weather it is beneficial or not, the harmful aspect, and its importance of an individual’s freedom. Tobacco has no general advantages towards someone’s health, as it destroys the lungs and can cause cancer anywhere in the body from all the carcinogens. In my opinion the production and sale of tobacco should be banned in the United States.
It is shocking to report, that after 50 years of awareness of the dangers of smoking and use of other tobacco products, tobacco industries are still on the incline. Cigarettes and the diseases they cause, are still commonplace in our communities, nation, and the world.
Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in the United States, worldwide, and most importantly, in New York. Although the tobacco industry appears to be a beneficial addition to our economy, it has been a socially acceptable business in the past because it brings jobs to our people and tax money to our government; but the cost of tobacco related treatment, mortality, disability, and pollution, the government winds up having to provide the funds to programs related to these issues. If current smoking patterns continue, by 2030 the proportion of tobacco related death will be one in six, about 10 million deaths per year (World bank). There are scientific articles regarding the relation of premature mortality and disability to tobacco use. Places where tobacco use is commonly used, about ninety percent of cases of lung cancer, fifteen percent of cases of other cancers, seventy-five percent of cases of bronchitis and emphysema and twenty-five
Smoking is a serious public health concern in the United States. It is responsible for at least 30% of all cancer deaths, causes
Imagine yourself, basking amongst the socialites of the highest class, all the while drowning in laughter, as the expensive mink drips off your shoulder, and your slender hand brings it back up gently, as the sweet, nicotine laced aroma lingers amidst the air. When all of sudden, a handsome billionaire waltzes towards you, and as he cracks a smile, he brings a gentle hand to your cheek, and at the same time that you inhale a sensual puff from your cigarette, you finally recognize him as your loving husband. Lamentably, this scenario sounds almost too exquisite to be true, because in reality it has been specifically engineered by ingenious tobacco companies to be used in their advertisements, in order to increase their revenue. Sadly, tobacco advertisements only show cigarettes within a positive, fantasy-like, or desirable atmosphere, but they do not show the unscrupulous deceit lurking behind each carcinogenic stick. Although, many tobacco ads perceive cigarettes to be trendy and appealing, the truth is they have brought forth a misaligned cultural perception, which has led to an overabundant exposure to harmful side effects, accompanied by a false sense of control.
Thousands have seen the commercials depicting a horrific life and painful death that smoking tobacco can cause. The information found in those commercials are an unfortunate reality for all smokers of tobacco or other similar products. Tobacco smoke is incredibly harmful and dangerous to everyone, even the non smoking public. A large population of smokers look for ways to stop, but that deed is easier said than done. Nicotine will often keep smokers smoking the harmful chemicals found in cigarettes. Fortunately, new technologies have allowed for a safer way of smoking, a new product known as an electronic cigarette. These cigarettes work by creating a flavored water vapor for the user to inhale, significantly decreasing the risk of various diseases that could be caused by
Cigarette advertisements give the feeling that smokers are "bursting at the seams with joy" and that smoking is useful to you. Shockingly, nothing could be further from reality. The U.S. government has marked cigarettes as an unsafe medication that causes lung malignancy, coronary illness, and numerous different genuine sicknesses and conditions. Numerous individuals everywhere throughout the nation are discussing whether tobacco organizations ought to be permitted to publicize cigarettes or even to make cigarettes in today 's general public ("Analyzing Assorted Tobacco Advertisements").
Although it is beneficial for the economy for the production of tobacco products it is extremely risky to use the product. According to researchers second-hand smoke is terrible for everyone in the world who walk by someone who is exhaling. In the article by Robert Proctor “Why ban the sale of cigarettes? The case for abolition” he states that cigarettes are the “most deadl...
Smoking is a simple process of inhaling and exhaling the fumes of burning tobacco, but it has deadly consequences. According to the American Cancer Society, smoking is the most preventable cause of death in America today (Encarta, 2002). Until the 1940?s, smoking was considered harmless. It was at this time that epidemiologists noticed a dramatic increase in the cases of lung cancer. A study was then conducted between smokers and nonsmokers to determine if cigarettes were the cause of this increase. This study, conducted by the American Cancer Society, found increased mortality among smokers. Yet it was not until 1964 that the Surgeon General put out a report acknowledging the danger of cigarettes. The first action to curb smoking was the mandate of a warning on cigarette packages by the Federal Trade Commission (Encarta, 2002). In 1971, all cigarette advertising was banned from radio and television, and cities and states passed laws requiring nonsmoking sections in public places and workplaces (Encarta, 2002). Now in some cities smoking is being completely banned from public places and workplaces and various people are striving for more of these laws against smoking.