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22 March 2012 Anti-Smoking Symbol Reveals ‘Worst Moment’

In this article, a cancer survivor and now poster child for anti-smoking ads Terrie Hall, talks about her history with smoking. The interviewer asks multiple questions about her first experience with cigarettes and what she knew at that time about the drug, nicotine. She reports that the reason she continued smoking for so long was because she had no knowledge of what the consequences might be, and she wanted to fit in with her friends. Many years ago the risks were unknown and advertising glorified the habit. The new ad campaign being rolled out this week by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention involves more shocking and graphic material than ever before shown. Terrie agreed to be a part of the campaign. She became involved with these ads after she had cancer in her mouth and in her larynx. She is still receiving treatment for her cancer and has undergone a few surgeries, one which involved the surgeon removing her voice box. Terrie mentions how uneducated she was about cigarettes and how she would have loved to have had someone like herself come into her school when she first started to smoke. These new anti-smoking campaigns are sure to open the eyes of many smokers and educate thousands. Terrie Hall is banking on the idea that the ads will also save lives. During World War II the tobacco companies actually issued free cigarettes to the soldiers. Returning home they were addicted and at that time there was no regulation on the tobacco industry. The industry was allowed to promote cigarettes through the 1950s. For tobacco companies it was seen as the Golden Age, bringing in substantial amounts of money. Ads featured doctors, dentists, babies, and even athletes such as Mickey Mantle. Interestingly, it was in 1942, also during WW II that the CDC, Center for Disease Control was established by the US Public Health Service. Originally started for the purpose of malaria control, over the years and through several changes it eventually became a branch of the government which today operates under the Department of Health and Human Services. It is this organization which focuses on chronic diseases as well as other health issues. As reform is defined as making or becoming better, as especially by correcting bad habits, it is easy to see why the Center for Disease Control and Prevention is this week attempting to demonstrate in very graphic advertising the awful effects smoking can have on one’s health. This is the largest national advertising effort the CDC has ever launched to combat tobacco addiction. By spending $54 million and playing graphic advertisements throughout the country, the government hopes to drive home the message that smoking is harmful and that there is help for those who want to quit. Because the tobacco industry is so wealthy is it has won several battles in the courts. In February, the court ruled that the government FDA, Food and Drug Administration, cannot require the industry to put strong, graphic warnings on its packages, citing infringement of the First Amendment. Perhaps this new campaign is coming at a good time. Our government has shown significant reform in the area of regulation for the tobacco industry hoping to improve our health. Will the CDC see smoking statistics drop in the next few years after running these ads?
 * Summary:**
 * Relevance:**
 * Evaluation:**
 * Questions:**
 * 1) Will these ads be too graphic for young viewers?
 * 2) Will other cancer survivors be willing to sign on and share their stories?
 * 3) Will these graphic advertisements eventually be seen for other controlled substances like alcohol?
 * 4) Is our government spending significant amounts of money to get people to stop smoking which is really their personal right/choice anyway?

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"Anti-smoking symbol reveals 'worst moment' - CNN.com." //CNN.com - Breaking News, U.S., World, Weather, Entertainment & Video News//. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Mar. 2012. .

"CDC unveils graphic ads to combat smoking - CNN.com." //CNN.com - Breaking News, U.S., World, Weather, Entertainment & Video News//. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Mar. 2012. .

"Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia." //Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia//. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Mar. 2012. .