Teen using nicotine: Who is responsible?
accumulation | contradict | exhibit | inevitable | manipulate
accumulation | contradict | exhibit | inevitable | manipulate
In 1998, the major tobacco companies agreed not to market tobacco products to people under the age of 18. However, studies on tobacco advertising on social media may contradict this agreement. While tobacco companies stopped exhibiting ads in places that are strictly for kids, they continue to market on social media that is popular with young viewers. E-cigarette brands, in particular, target youth through branded pages, sponsored posts, and partnerships with influencers. Have the tobacco companies manipulated the system? Do we need stricter rules? Or is it inevitable that teens will be exposed to vaping ads? The graph below shows the total amount spent by tobacco companies on advertising and promotions in the United States.
Tobacco Company Advertising and Promotional Spending (in billions)
What happened to tobacco companies’ advertising and promotional spending between 1995 and 2020?
A. it increased by almost 60%
B. it increased by 165%
C. it decreased by about 60%
D. it decreased by 165%
Each year, all states combined receive over $25 billion in settlement money from tobacco companies. Of this money, about $700 million is spent each year on anti-smoking programs like ads and programs to help people quit. In 2020, for every dollar states spent on anti-tobacco programs, tobacco companies spent how many dollars advertising and promoting cigarettes? (Hint: Use the graph. To solve quickly, use exponents!)
Some people believe that advertisements manipulate people into trying addictive nicotine products. They argue that the government should fight back by exhibiting more ads against nicotine use. The American Lung Association found that the states collected $26.7 billion from tobacco companies in 2023, from both legal settlements and taxes. States only spent 3 percent of this accumulation of money on programs to educate kids about tobacco and help users to quit. Is it inevitable that some adults will decide to use nicotine products? Or can state governments do more to prevent this?