If you have ever doubted the marketing power of Big Tobacco, take a minute to reflect on the powerful and glamorous images used in the film and fashion industry. Sadly, many of Utah's children and teens are repeatedly subjected to these images. I bring this to your attention because May 31 has been designated as World No-Tobacco Day, and this year's theme is Tobacco-Free Film, Tobacco-Free Fashion.
The fact that 75 percent of all top-grossing films contain tobacco use and that according to research, seeing a lot of smoking in the movies triples the odds that a teen will try smoking clearly demonstrates the need for Utah to continue with programs that help to counter these powerful images.
Joy M. Erickson
senior advocacy director
American Heart Association