Adolescents have a clear idea of the risks of tobacco use.

Fiction. Studies indicate that adolescents underestimate the risks of tobacco use (including cigarettes, chewing tobacco, and cigars) and believe its practice to be more widespread and more socially accepted than it actually is. A study released in 2001 shows that 43% of eighth graders do not think there is a great risk associated with smoking one pack of cigarettes per day. This lack of awareness is due in part to the continuing efforts of the tobacco industry to convey an image that sophisticated, active, confident, sexy, athletic, beautiful people smoke. These characteristics were embodied in the macho "Marlboro Man" and attractive "Virginia Slims" models. When adolescents are informed of the common tactics used to induce them to buy certain products, they become very skilled at pinpointing advertisements that are targeted at them. They realize the...