Despite its rhetoric about social responsibility, the tobacco industry continues to sell a product that is highly addictive and deadly using images of freedom and independence. It seems that the tobacco companies feel the need to show people at outdoor events who are having a good time only because of the cigarette in their hand. Recent research proves tobacco”s lure is greatest when our children see smoking in these types of ads and then are exposed to smoking when attending outdoor events.
We need to change how our children view smoking by modeling a different message. Outdoor events that adopt smoke-free policies are leading the way. I recently attended several events that were smoke-free. Some of the events my family attended were Bruno”s ShopSmart Cinco de Mayo celebration, Wood and Glory and the Lakeport Chamber Kiss a Pig Barbeque. Because of the “smoke-free” policies that had been adopted, these are places I will take my family again.
If you put-on events, call the Lake Family Resource Center Tobacco Control Program at 262-1611, and they will help you develop a policy. If you want to protect yourself and your family from the effects of second-hand smoke, encourage Lake Country events to implement these policies.
Carrie White
Lakeport
