HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1977-03-31, Page 50Psis 10
Cigarette ads
paid for
by smokers
The reasons you think
smoking is the thing to do are
all in your mind. So far your
nervous system doesn't,
demand nicotine. Like it does
with 'diehard' smokers. You
probably just think smoking
is the,thing to do. You've seen
the ads—the rugged cowboy
with the tattoo on his hand,
riding into the sunset on his
horse as he lights up a
cigarette. Or the 'swingers'
having a great time at the
party. Just remember this
the next time you see one of
these ads—they're all paid for
by an industry that has
carefully figured out that
once you're hooked, you'll
spend about 510,000 during
your lifetime on their
product. It's very big
business. In fact if we had
that kind of money, we could
do a pretty good job
too—convincing you not to
smoke.
Probably you've heard
people who smoke say that. it
relaxes them. Actually,
they're right, it does. But
what they probably don't
realize is that the need to
relax is brought on by their
smoking. The 'diehard'
smoker's nervous system
expects the regular jolts that
nicotine supplies to his
system. Deny the nervous
system nicotine and it fights
hack by making the smoker
irritable, nervous and tense.
So the vicious cycle starts
again with the next cigarette.
Maybe subconsciously you
think smoking somehow
equates with being 'grown-
up'. That may he the reason
when you're very young, but
as a young adult you should
know that's kid's stuff.
How you treat, or mistreat
your body now will mean the
difference between good
=health or poor health later in
life. A famous scientist
estimates that a single
cigarette shortens your life
by about 14 minutes! So by
the time you're 55 years old
your system has deteriorated
to the point that it is in no
better condition than a non-
smoker at age 75. In the past
few years, one generation in
fact, lung cancer has changed
from an almost rare disease
into one which today kills
more than 5,000 people in
Canada every year. This
frightening increase coin-
cides with the increase in the
popularity of cigarette
smoking.
Besides this doctors have
found that the lungs of
smokers when compared to
non-smoker's lungs show
marked deterioration. The
tiny hairs called cilia inside
the lungs which act as
brushes to remove bits of
matter that can irritate the
lungs, are either badly
damaged o!- destroyed in the
lungs of smokers. This leaves
the lungs at the mercy of
dust, germs, smog and other
harmful irritants. It is also
suspected 'that the changes
that take place in a smoker's
lungs prepare the way for
cancer.
Years ago the government
tried to make alcohol illegal.
The result was that People
drank anyway, often
poisonous homemade types.
That was 45 years ago. but the
experiment proved that
legislation is not the way to
control people's habits.
Instead we are trying.to fightr
smoking by convincing
people that it is very harmful,
then letting them make up
their own mind. The
Government has however
placed restrictions on
cigarette advertising and
made companies print a
warning on every package.
This is good—hut we feel
that Government action to
eliminate all promotion of
cigarette sales is needed,
W'e're realistic enough to
know that some people will
continue to smoke. because
they simply can't quit. But if
you don't smoke now. don't
start. And if you do, stop if
you can. You'll be thankful
some day that you did.
4$
In charge of education
Dr. C.F. Doorly, medical advisor to the Huron Unit of the Canadian Cancer Sot
discusses the value, and implementation, of educational programs with unit Educa
chairman Dorothy Smith. The Cancer Society provides a wide range of inform
pamphlets and other materials through the local Public Health Unit and other OA
(staff photo)
Ifyou you
love life,
r
lasts.
The Seven Steps to
Health are simple things
you can do to help
prevent cancer.
You owe it to yourself to
know and follow them.
1. Have a medical and
dental check-up.
2.. Watch for{any change
in your nolrrmal state
of health.
3. Find out about any
lump or sore that
does not heal.
4Protect yourself from
too much sunlight.
S. Do not smoke.
6. Have a Pap test.
'. Do a monthly breast
self-examination.
If you love life, take the
first step.
Learn the Seven Stepst
Health.
This Informative publication is brought to you with the kind co-operation of the following
GODERICH PUBLIC
UTILITIES COMMISSION
MCCALLUM
FUNERAL HOME
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