Up in Smoke: Tobacco Advertising – NBC January 9, 2009In 1998, Santa Fe Natural Tobacco Company was one of many that agreed to a settlement, essentially removing its creative marketing arm. The idea was to stop companies from distributing promotional materials often aimed at kids. But Attorney General Richard Blumenthal said Santa Fe has been violating that agreement. At issue - tin signs the company has been giving out featuring its “Natural American Spirit” cigarette brand. ?These promotional signs are both a symbol and a symptom of slick pitches that show the tobacco industry unrepentant, still relying on marketing tactics to sell death and addiction,? Blumenthal said. ?This legal action demonstrates our undiminished determination to fight tobacco — hopefully now a battle joined by a new president committed to public health.? As a result, Connecticut is one of 41 states to reach a settlement with the company. Santa Fe will stop handing out the signs and has also agreed to pay a $250 fine for each future violation. The 1998 settlement prohibits tobacco companies from dispensing certain types of promotional materials, including decorative signs. Since that agreement was signed, Americans have smoked more than 100 billion fewer cigarettes, according on data from the American Lung Association. Under the agreement, which was announced Wednesday, Santa Fe Natural Tobacco has agreed not to hand out such signs or other promotional materials including: toys, games, fashion accessories, CDs, DVDS, video games, clothing, athletic equipment, outdoor gear, luggage, stationery items, housewares and paintings and plaques intended for the home. “This historic agreement bans slick signs and other pernicious promotions intended to make cigarettes seem cool,” he said.  “These merchants of death and disease depend on marketing to hook a new generation, enticing children and young adults with hip merchandise. Blocking distribution of signs, CDs, DVDS, clothing and other items hyping cigarettes is vital to reducing the appeal and incidence of smoking, especially among youth.

Source: NBC

We’ve all heard of the ill-effects of smoking, right? Also, we are all aware of the statutory warning: Cigarette Smoking is Injurious to Health. But, what most of us don’t realise is that exposure to smoke is a bigger threat. 
Yes, passive smoking is more harmful than we think. According to a study released by Stanford University, a brief exposure to second hand tobacco smoke can cause similar damage or more damage to non-smokers than smokers. In fact, if one is exposed to outdoor passive smoking it is even more dangerous. 

Experts say the reason is simple: there are enough pollutants in the air and this air combined with toxic pollutants produced while smoking makes it really worse, which in turn poses higher health risk. 

So, the next time you are outside with your friends or family, try and spare a thought on the risks you could pass on, before you light a smoke. And, it’s not that passive smoking indoors is any safer. It might pose a little less threat than outdoor passive smoking, but the effects and risks are almost similar. 

These health hazards could be asthma, chronic bronchitis, breathlessness at night and even irregular heartbeat. If you have been smoking in the company of your non-smoker friends or family for a long time, chances are that they could be facing a risk of premature death or non-fatal heart attacks. 

If numbers is what you are likely to believe, then here is some fact. In 2006, a report released in the US, stated that second hand cigarette smoke or passive smoking exposed about 126 million people at risk of heart disease, lung cancer and death. 

Here’s a thought, you may have felt like a man or in control with that puff of smoke, but can you put yourself at a high pedestal, when you could be responsible for your friends’ or loved ones health.