The rate of smoking has decreased substantially in recent years. As people are learning the effects and the risks behind smoking a cigarette, more individuals choose to quit, or never begin smoking. So what is the appeal to those who do choose to smoke?
Storified by juliaharvath ·
Mon, Nov 14 2016 02:20:11
As I walk throught the streets of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, Fort Myers, Florida, Neenah, Wisconsin, or virtually any city in the entire world, there is not a day that I can pass through and will not smell the smoke coming from a cigarette. Not only is this harmful to the smoker themself, but others that surround them, pass by, or even the environment around them. This is immensely frustrating to me as I come across the cigarette smoke everyday, and the smoker knows they are not the only ones effected. There are numerous people that may know someone, or have someone close to them that smokes, including myself. Individuals know the effects of how harmful and addictive cigarettes may be, so what is the appeal to smoke them? Many will say that smoking reduces stress or perhaps makes them feel relaxed. Others may be 'social smokers', doing it only to socialize and fit in, then later on become addicted. With all of the known facts of smoking such as being a cause of cancer, early aging, being extremely costly, and early death, why are individuals still appealed to this?
One of my sources provided me with the history of tobacco explaining what is in cigarettes, how they are made, where they come from, and so on. This article is titled From the First to the Last Ash and although lengthy, has great detail and seems to be reliable with the information presented. From the First to the Last Ash written by Marjorie Jacobs presents a great deal of information and covers several main points. The article was published in 1997 for individuals seeking information on anything that has to do with tobacco considering this article covers topics such as the history of tobacco, the advertising of tobacco, why people choose to smoke, and even offers information on how to quit smoking. It could be a very useful article for someone whom is trying to quit, or for someone trying to convince an individual to quit.
An early topic covered by the article is the background information and history of tobacco. As stated in the article, tobacco was first grown by American Indians before the Europeans came from England, Spain, France, and Italy to North America and was smoked by Native Americans for believed 'medical' purposes. As the first crop to be grown in America, tobacco was a large source for money as it became the main cash crop. The article then dicusses the first 'cigarette-making machine' invented by James Bonsack, which was extremely successful. The buisness went from making 10 million cigarettes in their first year, to one billion cigarettes within the first 5 years. The buisness took off, becoming a company named the American Tobacco Company. This cigarette-making machine produces a tobacco/chemical filled paper roll that contains over 4,000 chemicals that keep the user addicted and wanting more. The chemical that keeps the user addicted is nicotine, which is also found in almost all bug sprays. The article defines nicotine is stimulant which speeds up the nervous system, making individuals feel as if they have more energy. With the nicotine in the bloodstream, it is hard for people to quit when they are constantly wanting more, especially if it makes them feel good. It is so hard to quit smoking, and most people already have the knowledge of that, so why do they start?
Fortunately, this article covers is 'Why do people smoke', and explains why people start smoking in the first place even if they are aware of the consequenses. Jacobs explains that many smokers start when they are in their teens which leads them to become addicted before they even reach adulthood. There are several possible reasons as to why a young teen or even a middle-aged adult may try a cigarette for the first time. The author explains how teenagers may smoke because it makes them feel more adult-like, especially if they have adut figures that smoke. It is also said that teens smoke to 'fit in' or 'feel cool' if their friends or peers are smoking as well. As for adults that begin to smoke later in their life, they may start because they are "stressed and pressured because of econmic and personal problems". These adults believe that smoking will either relax them, 'take a load off' or even give them more energy to deal with the issues a time of stress or while they are having issues at home. Lastly, it is known that cigarettes may cause one to lose weight as it reduces the appetite or even lessens the sense of taste and smell. I find it sad that someone would try this as a technique to lose weight as unhealthy as it is. With all of these reasons and excuses to begin smoking, there are some people that just choose to ignore the consequence of smoking.
Even professional athletes find excuses to smoke and believe it is okay. I find it quite absurd that a pro-athlete would smoke knowing it could affect their job since an athletes performance depends greatly on their health. The article shares a story about an Olympic gold medalist, Greg Louganis. The story writes how Louganis began to smoke at age 8 and was completely hooked by the time he was in junior high. He tells the rhetor, "It made me feel cool and more grown up like my parents who both smoked". The olympic diver felt as if his smoking habit wasn't effecting him because he didn't 'need a lot of wind, just power and strength' for his sport. He knew he had to keep smoking a secret from his coach, which means he knew what he was doing to his body was not a good choice or habit for his body to be in. Louganis explains it wasn't until he witnessed a twelve-year old smoking that told him "I want to be just like you!" that he decided enough is enough. The twelve-year old child was thinking if smoking does not effect Louganis' diving career, it certainly wouldn't effect his own health. I think this shows how ignorant an individual may be to the consequences of smoking if they choose to smoke when they know they have to hide it from certain people, and don't realize they need to quit until they are faced with a serious health issue because of smoking, or start to impact someone else's life. I don't necessarily believe the individual is unknowledgable of the repercussions, but they are subconsciously choosing to ignore the facts.
This article uses logos often throughout the arcticle as it is very informational and provides examples and facts to back up facts stated. For example, the article lists the reasons of why people may begin to smoke all in one sentence; to look mature, to be like their friends, and to experiment. The author then goes into detail of each reason explaining them thoroughly and giving evidence as to why these reasons are true. As a reader, it made it more logical that these reasons are trustworthy. My next source uses quite a different use of appeal as it tries to aim for emotions rather than just stating facts.
Nowadays, people are much more knowledgable of the risks of smoking cigarettes and the effects it may have on someone. A 2014 advertisement created by the US Food and Drug Administration titled The Real Cost Commercial: Your Skin, goes to show that cigarettes are expensive, but that is not the only so-called 'cost' that cigarettes may have. This ad was found on YouTube which is a accessable website for videos that are easy to find if they have been publicized. The FDA's purpose of this article is to persuade smokers to think twice before they buy a pack of cigarettes considering their wallet may not be the only thing suffering from buying one.
As said in advertisement, smoking is known to cause early aging. There has been many studies done to show how different one may look due to the fact that they smoke. A common study looks at a set of twins just to see how much older one may look than the other.
It is obvious to see the twin that smokes has begun to age at a faster rate than the twin that does not smoke. Smoking, as said in the video, causes premature aging and as seen in the pictures, causes aging spots and many more wrinkles. This goes to show that someone of similar appearance and same age can look 10+ years older because of smoking.
The video, although not directly answering my topic question, is still a good source as it points out to smokers what they are costing themselves everytime they purchase a pack of cigarettes. This could also be a warning to someone who is considering smoking that a pack is costly in more than a measurement of money. The FDA uses the appeal of pathos to get the viewer (if the viewer is a smoker) to realize how harmful a pack of cigarrettes may really be effecting them. This is intened to make the viewer feel guilty, sad, or mad about what they are doing to their bodies or even their wallet, and tries to persuade them to quit smoking.
A pack of cigarettes costs anywhere from $5-$13 across the US and this advertisement is metaphorically saying that not only can cigarettes get expensive, but your health is 'at cost' or 'at risk' as well. The ugly facts about smoking are ignored by many such as the price, self-image, and overall health. The girl in the video ignores these costs, just as many people do around the world.
Another article I read titled The Harmful Effects of Smoking on Health and Well-Being pertains to smoking and was published on a website called "Brunet", which is also features medications and pharmaceutical services. The reading begins by calling out smokers saying many people ignore the risk and go on smoking. This short article was published to provide information to non-smokers with the facts and consequences smoking may cause. It also gives hope and faith to a smoker as it repeats "If you are a slave to cigarettes, please know that it is never too late to stop smoking" which promotes smokers to quit.
The rhetor of "The Harmful Effects of Smoking on Health and Well-Being" provides information of what is in cigarettes, and how these ingredients may effect the body severely. It is said that there are more than 4,000 chemicals in cigarette smoke. Substances such as arsenic, tar, and carbon monoxide are present in the smoke which is not only harmful to the smoker, but the environment around them as well. As said in the introduction, I find it frustrating and almost inconsiderate when I walk through a cloud of cigarette smoke because the individual is most likely not thinking about how they are effecting others' health.
Provided on the website are a few short lists of the cosequences of smoking. There is a list of the types of potential cancer that someone may be diagnosed with if they smoke. The rhetor says about one third of all cancer cases are due to smoking; here is the list provided.
·Cancer of the esophagus
·Cancer of the mouth
·Cancer of the uterus
·Bladder cancer
·Stomach cancer
·Pancreatic cancer
Not only are there serious health risks of smoking, but there are also consequences on one's well-being. Here is another list provided on the site of other negative factors of smoking.