Gateway to Drug Use Perhaps the most alarming of all facts is that cigarette smoking is often a proven gateway to other drugs. A Department of Health and Human Services study shows that illegal drug use is virtually always preceded by tobacco use. Smoking can launch teens into a sequence of drug use that can send their lives and the lives of those around them spiraling out of control. Tobacco s Pathway to Profits Internal tobacco industry documents have recently been made public that prove that Big Tobacco has relied on its ability to hook teenagers on cigarettes in order to replace smokers at the other end of the age spectrum who either die or quit. Not only are tobacco companies spending an inordinate amount of money to make their product visible, available and attractive, but they are targeting those resources to America s youth.
Children are much more susceptible to slick advertising and gaudy promotions than adults.
The three most heavily advertised brands . Marlboro, Camel and Newport are the three top brands used by the youth market. This is not true for adults . Youth smoking has risen as adult smoking has steadily declined. As a game for yourself, keep track of just how many times on a given day you come into contact with some form of cigarette or tobacco advertisement.