Williams, Mary. Teen Smoking. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 2000. Print
In the book, Teen Smoking, there is not clear author, only a book editor. The book editor’s name is Mary E. Williams. This book is a collaboration of different thoughts of people on certain issues of teenage smoking. This book is not directly related to my current event, but in the introduction of this book, the point of view of Williams is implied. In the introduction, she states that most smokers had their first cigarette at age fourteen or fifteen. Quinn agrees with antismoking activists on their idea that the tobacco industry’s marketing and promotions play large role in the start of teenage smokers. The author states that these ads are colorful and visible everywhere. She states that these ads are in magazines, sporting events, gas stations and in popular movies. Quinn believes that these companies associate smoking with social success, sexual attractiveness, tough images, and even slimmer bodies. She believes these ideas are misleading and trick teens into smoking. Quinn also states that the companies use of cartoon-characters to promote their products were intentionally created to attract teens. The example she uses in that statement was the use of Joe Camel by R.J Reynolds. Quinn also states that after the Surgeon General released the health hazards of smoking, the amount of adults that started smoking decreased. This frightened tobacco companies, so many tried to find other audiences. Companies such as, R.J Reynolds planned to begin advertising near video arcades, basketball courts, and other areas commonly visited by teens. They hoped this would attract teens to their brand. Quinn states that in 98’ R.J Reynolds was accused for advertising to people under the age of eighteen. This company never came forward to admit their wrong doings, but their previous actions showed they were guilty. Quinn answered no to my question because the fact that R.J Reynolds has a past of false advertising and they have gotten what they deserved.
This book is a great example to use because it shows the specific history of the company R.J Reynolds. This company is one of which filed law suit against the Family Prevention and Tobacco Control Act. The use of this specific company will help my reader decide if their rights based upon their past and previous actions deserve punishments. A strong thing that this source did was the use of statistics. Williams states that one thousand people die every year because of a lifelong tobacco use and eighty percent of the dead began smoking before the legal smoking age of eighteen. By using statistics in the source, my reader will have a better understanding on the affects of teen advertising. Another strong thing this source does is the use of other’s ideas on current issues. This source also lets teen smokers give their reasoning on why they smoke and how addicting it is. The fact that this source displays the affects that smoking has on teens also will help my reader construct a more educated answer. Quinn also talks about other bills that were created, but declined by congress and their details.
