False: The great majority of high school seniors surveyed believe that cigarette smoking does not make smokers their age look mature, independent and in control. Just the reverse.They believe that smoking is something that teenage smokers use to try to look mature but it actually makes them look insecure. Furthermore, surveys show that the majority of high school seniors desire to date non-smokers and this is becoming a trend.

25. Tobacco companies have admitted that they have targeted children in their advertising.

True: Some tobacco companies have recently admitted that they have produced advertisements specifically aimed at influencing children to smoke. An uncovered tobacco company document has stated, "the base of our business is the high school student". Another document reads, "To smoke Marlboro Lights represents having passed a rite of passage". A tobacco company sign in a Seven Eleven Store (under the guise of responsible tobacco prevention for youth) reads, "come of age" (personal observation). As mentioned before, one thousand smokers die every day from their tobacco addiction and the tobacco companies want to replace them with you to stay in business.

26. Low tar and filter cigarettes substantially reduce the health hazards of cigarettes.

False: Tobacco companies in their advertising attempt to create this image, so that worried smokers will have a false sense of security. So-called "low tar" and filter cigarettes actually have very little effect on reducing the huge health hazards of tobacco use. Have a smoker you know blow smoke from a "low tar" or filtered cigarette forcefully through a tissue and see how much tar still deposits in the tissue and, therefore, in their lungs. (In your lungs as well if you're nearby). This is the same tar that causes cancer, chronic bronchitis, emphysema and black lung. All regular smokers have black lung regardless of what cigrette they smoke. The tar begins to build up in the lungs with the very first cigarette and second hand smoke also contains the same black, oily tars and also causes serious illness.

27. United States tobacco companies spend up to millions of dollars each year on advertising and promotions, little of which targets teenagers and pre-teenagers.

False: Tobacco companies spend not millions, but billions of dollars each year on advertising, much of which has targeted youth. Disclosures of tobacco company secret documents have revealed that these companies have extensively researched a teenager's ideal self-image (e.g., "sexy", "tough", "good looking", "athletic", "popular", "sophisticated", "mature", "independent", "rebellious", "daring", "fun loving", "cool") and then proceeded to spend billions in image-advertising. (i.e., advertising which creates the false image, "If I smoke, I'll appear to be like that or I'll have a good time like that").

If tobacco companies can afford to spend billions of dollars per year in advertising, imagine how much money they must be making at your expense if you smoke. ("They're Rich, You're Dead").