Dear Carlsbad patch,
Smoking is a big problem, especially in people ages 15 to 21. Currently the minimum smoking age is 18. It should be 21 like the drinking age. This is because people under the age of 21 are more likely to become addicted to smoking and have a harder time quitting. As addicting as the nicotine in cigarettes is to adults (people over the age of 21), according to Medline Plus, it is even more addictive for teenagers (people ages 15-21). Cigarettes contain nicotine, which according to News Medical is one of the most addictive drugs. This is why people have a very hard time quitting. We all know that smoking causes lung, heart, and even eye cancer, but teenagers don’t care!
In Australia a law was just passed that says cigarette boxes cannot be used for advertising. Instead of the brand on the cover, there has to be a big warning showing what may happen if you smoke. It may include a picture of mouth cancer, or it may show one of the other types of cancer caused by smoking. No matter what is on the cover the box is really unattractive.
As big of a problem as smoking is, there is a solution for stopping it. If more countries, especially the United States, do the same thing Australia has done to cigarette boxes, cigarette companies will lose money. The box will be so unattractive that teenagers will think it is uncool and stop buying cigarettes. So they won’t be allowed to smoke legally and they won’t want to either!
Sincerely,
Derek McInerney student at Pacific Ridge School