PORTFOLIO; revised paper of my choice: tobaccos influence on society

It's uncanny how tobacco was once (and still is) thought of as quite a trendy thing to do. In earlier times, tobacco users never knew fully the dangers of smoking. Tobacco first originated in Virginia in the 1600's. It soon became the cash crop of the state, and many were eager to cultivate it for the wealth it brought. Unfortunately, in those times, many people did not associate smoking with being as deadly as it really was. This was because a lot of people did not get the education needed to know of these dangers. And because a person's lifespan was somewhat shorter in the 1600's than modern times, nobody really knew that the tobacco was indeed shortening their lifespan a good amount.

Tobacco in the early years was made into more cigars than cigarettes, and what cigarettes were made were mainly just pure tobacco. That however, is not so much how they are developed today. As stated on "www.whadafxup.com" ingredients such as tar, ammonia, sodium hydroxide, carbon monoxide, hydrogen cyanide, and higher amounts of nicotine than in previous years are now additives and some of the main components of cigarettes. I feel that this is much worse than even just straight tobacco.

Both in the 1600's and today, cigarettes and other tobacco products have often been subliminaly aimed at a younger generation. In the 1600's, postwar cigarette ads were geared towards women and children. And now, advertisments are put into movies such as "The Muppet Movie." Also reported on "http://www.whadafxup.com/" was the fact that in 2006, an estimated 75% of youth rated movies (G, PG), and 90% of R rated movies gave reference to tobacco products. Also stated was a quote from a 1984 tobacco company that simply declares younger adult smokers "replacement smokers." I think this is absurd, and should cause people to start thinking of what these toabcco companies real motives are.

From the 1600's on, a large portion of the nation were fans of cigarettes and cigars. It was not until the 1960's that researchers discovered the many health defects associated with the usage of tobacco. Today most of society is well informed of the dangers of tobacco, yet many continue to use the products of the tobacco companies. One of the reasons why people are so hooked is because the nicotine levels are double the amount than in previous years in order to keep people addicted. This in turn, equals more money for tobacco companies, who seem to not care even remotely about the health risks of the use of their products. A quote relayed by "http://www.whadafxup.com/" is said by the CEO of a major tobacco company in 1997. He states; he would "instantly shut his doors, to get a better hold on things," if it were proved to his satisfaction that smoking causes cancer. That same company now admits on their website that smoking does indeed cause cancer, yet they continue to manufacture these lethal products. I find this completely foul and repulsive.