I grew up in Winston-Salem, North Carolina — a city built on tobacco. My grandfather worked in the factories at R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company. My dad works for RJR as an analytical chemist. Tobacco pays my bills. Growing up, I have heard nothing but bad things coming from the media about how bad tobacco is, and how terrible tobacco companies are for advertising to young people. Yes, smoking and smokeless tobacco do have negative effects on a person’s health and can cause cancer, but so can a lot of things. Why is tobacco the bad guy?

Tobacco companies are no longer allowed to advertise on TV. In fact, it is very rare to see tobacco advertisements anywhere, except for where it is being sold. I remember when Winston was the main sponsor for NASCAR, and had to be replaced by Sprint. Yet, Jack Daniels, Crown Royal, Budweiser and Miller have all been sponsors for driver’s cars. What makes it OK for alcohol to be advertised so prominently when tobacco receives such heavy restrictions? I would argue that beer and liquor ads are now more impressionable on the youth of America than tobacco is. I do not know if anyone remembers Joe Camel or the Marlboro Man, but they are not around anymore because they identified with young people.

Beer ads are the best commercials on TV. These guys are having a blast, they drink a few beers during the big game without a care in the world. Liquor ads show what the party in the club is really like. Maybe you prefer the sophisticated Scotch drinker reeking of excellence and prestige? These are qualities that the youth is looking for, happiness, fun and getting loose so they can be more social. Not many people pay attention to the two second drink responsibly pitch at the end of the commercial. Alcohol is just as dangerous as tobacco use.

If you watch TV you know that if you pick up a cigarette it can cause lung disease or even cancer. Overuse of alcohol can cause liver cancer and cirrhosis of the liver, but how many TRUTH ads are pointing that out? Yes, tobacco is addictive, but so is alcohol. When someone decides to light up a cigarette in his or her car, he or she may not be the most cautious driver, but the action doesn’t really affect other drivers. Driving a car while under the influence of alcohol not only puts the driver in danger, but also the other motorists. Not everyone drinks alcohol in excess, but being on a college campus makes it apparent that a lot do. Smoking ten cigarettes in a row may make you sick, but drinking ten beers makes you stupid.

I am not trying to argue that tobacco and tobacco companies are innocent. Their products have caused a lot of people to get sick, but alcohol is not a safe substance either. I just do not agree with all the hoopla that keeps the tobacco industry from trying to sell products to an informed consumer. Everyone knows the risk when they pick up a cigarette, but to stop the tobacco industry from advertising is hypocritical.