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I hate the evil weed, but believe very strongly that cigarette companies should be able to advertise when and where they choose. Of course, cigarette smoke and nicotine are two of the most pervasive killers in the world of addicted smokers, as well as often fatal to family members unlucky enough to spend years breathing their poisonous fumes.

However, as medically lethal for people as cigarettes are, today's advertisers are pushing other killers every day and night. Beer and hard liquor ads may be lots of fun to watch during sports events, but they are responsible for more fatal auto accidents than any other cause. Phony diet pills and other medical snake oil products are advertised in every media, despite the fact that many are not only totally useless, but some do much more harm than good. Advertised sweets, especially on TV programs children watch, including candy, cake, salted snacks and sugared cereals are harmful. They make for fat kids, then fatter adults and eventually shortened lives.

I'm certainly not an advocate for tobacco products. I'm well into my 80s, and have never smoked since I was an idiot 14-year-old. One day back then, I spent two hours puffing on smokes from a pack of cigarettes on the street corner, expecting my cool, adult demeanor to impress my pals and any 14-year-old girls who happened to stroll by. After those two hours, I threw up for another two hours, and have never smoked since.

I grew up in an era when cigarette advertising was blasted and advocated all over the place. They smiled and puffed out at us from newspapers, magazines and radio. When TV came blinking by, I can remember movie stars appearing in ads and commercials, including actor and future President Ronald Reagan, pushing cigarettes. Probably the most disgusting smoking ads featured rugged cowboys and famous sports stars making little speeches advocating smoking. Although no one thought about it at the time, the obvious intent was just nother way the cigarette companies could hook kids into emulating their screen and sports idols.

In spite of my personal opinions about the health hazards of smoking, and as long as other harmful products are still being hawked day and night on TV, cigarette companies should be allowed to shell out some of their blood money on advertising again. It's possible, if they spend enough money, the quality of TV could be improved. Anyhow, their commercials couldn't be anywhere near as annoying as the revolting faux medical ads we see on TV every night just as we sit down to dinner.

Learn more about this author, Ted Sherman.
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