On this day in America in 1970, President Richard Nixon signed the Public Health Cigarette Smoking Act. As soon as I saw 'cigarette' I was intrigued, not becuase I smoke and the word instantly made me crave a ciggie, but becuase I don't smoke (never have, never will) and basically I find people who do smoke a bit repulsive. I know it's their decision and all, but in this modern age when we are all aware of the fact that smoking causes cancer, people who smoke seem a little bit stupid.
The Smoking Act entitled that the advertisement of cigarettes would be banned on television and radio beginning January 2nd, 1971. Nowadays, cigarette ads are banned from billboards and some magazines as well. I don't think I've ever seen an advertisement PROMOTING cigarettes in a magazine or as a poster anywhere really. I actually think that the biggest advertisemnt cigarettes get is through the "NO SMOKING" signs that seem to be everywhere and the anti-smoking campaigns by the government.
In Australia around 2.9 million people smoke. On average they smoke 17 cigarettes a day. Altogether they generate 18 billion non-biodegradable butts a year, an estimated 7 billion of which are thrown on the ground as litter. Those that are still alight are responsible for approximately 4600 fires a year, consequently causing 14 deaths and a minimum of $80 million in damage. Consituting less than 1% weight of litter, cigarettes butts are still the most common form of litter.
Keeping in mind that society is aware of the environmental and medical withdrawals of smoking my question is this: WHY DO PEOPLE SMOKE??
Is it a cool thing? The concept that I'm part of the cool kids becuase I don't give a damn about cancer.
Is it rebellion? A stick it to the man attitude, that it's all lies and that even if cancer is caused by smoking, the fact that the government has put all these labels up mean that I'm not going to do anything becuase the authorities aren't the boss of me!
Is it lack of intelligence? Do they just not understnad exactly what smoking does? You would think that with all the anti-smoking ads the message would just get across?
Do some people do it to fit in to Western culture?
Or do they just not care at all about other people's health (second hand smoke), the planet or themselves?
Even though I'm saying all this I fully understand that it is the individual's choice.
You'd just think they'd make better ones.
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