Sunday, June 22, 1997
Teenagers were skeptical yesterday that any deal to snuff out Joe Camel ads or to ban vending machines would stop them from smoking.
“Kids are going to smoke anyway,” said Ian Hansson, 17, of Highbridge, N.J. “Just making it harder for them to get cigarettes is not going to stop them. They have older friends who will get them smokes.”
Hansson is typical of the teenagers that the landmark deal is aimed at — one of the estimated 3,000 youths who take up smoking each day.
Hansson said he began smoking when he was 14 and hasn’t looked back.
“I found I enjoyed it. I’m hooked,” he said.
Under the terms of the deal, cartoon characters like Joe Camel would be banned from ads along with humans like the Marlboro Man.
In addition, cigarette vending machines would be outlawed and cigarettes would have to be kept behind a counter.
Nonsmoker Jessica Harper, 17, of Yonkers applauded the attempt to snuff out smoking.
Her friend, Tom McQuestion, 17, also of Yonkers called it a habit for the weak-minded.
Original Story Date: 062297
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