Tobacco advertising and its effects on young adultsIn this world, many injustices are inflicted on our children. One of the main injustices is tobacco advertising aimed at our young people. Every day, 3,000 children start smoking, most between the ages of 10 and 18. These children represent 90% of all new smokers. In fact, 90 percent of all adults report starting smoking as teenagers. Statistics clearly show that young people are the preferred target for tobacco sales. The leaders of these media companies are Marlboro and Camel. Marlboro uses a Western character known as The Marlboro Man, and Camel uses the "gentle character" Joe Camel. Joe Camel, depicted as a full-style camel, has been attacked by many tobacco-free children's organizations as having a major influence on America's children. Researchers at the Medical College of Georgia report that almost as many 6-year-olds recognize Joe Camel as Mickey Mouse. This is very shocking information for any parent to hear. Children are attracted to these advertisements because they like cartoons, and they think that a cartoon is harmless and what it does is also harmless. There is so much cigarette advertising that a child will definitely be struck by its attention. The companies deny that these symbols target people under 21 and claim that their advertising goal is simply to promote a brand change. Illinois Representative Richard Durbin disagrees with this statement: "If we can reduce the number of young smokers, the tobacco companies will be in trouble and they know it." Companies are moving into a market that is not fully aware of the damage cigarettes are capable of doing to keep their industry alive. When the children were asked why they started smoking, they gave two conflicting reasons: They wanted to be part of the crowd. Children don't want to be left out, they want to be wanted. If their peers smoke, they will want to smoke too. They also wanted to reach out and rebel at the same time. When more authoritarian people constantly tell children not to do something, then they will do it. They do this just to take revenge on the authorities or to satisfy their curiosity.