Reader comments: Teens take up signs, march against smoking

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Anonymous | 9:57 p.m. Nov. 20, 2008
GOOD for you, it is about time someone

is fighting the Tobacco Companies.

They don't care how many people they are

killing, they are EVIL.
Smokers | 4:04 a.m. Nov. 21, 2008
Ever wonder what would happen if all the smokers stopped smoking? You'd lose your free medical care, lose major taxes for education, and you'd lose some one to blame for all your problems. What you eat and how you live are more problematic for people than smokers could ever be blamed for. Just what is it that smokers are causing to non smokers? This band wagon and its outcries are moot and useless, they will solve and prevent nothing. The losses in taxes are too great for the state to pass laws and fear the loss of all the major taxes smokers pay to support non existing claims on health. Some one has to be blamed so smoket get attacked, clean up your own house before dictating false accusations. What should be done is a cancer tax for all americans because of where they eat, what they eat, and how they live regardless of whether they smoke or not. Smokers harm no one and has yet to be proven a health risk to others. There are no facts, just accusations looking for some cause to blame when all you have to do is look in your refridgerators and pantrys.
uncannygunman | 7:19 a.m. Nov. 21, 2008
Some teens seem to spend an inordinate amount of time and energy trying to remove all the rights, choices, and responsibilities from the adulthood that they will ultimately attain.

If we don't trust teens to drink or smoke or vote, why do we pay so much attention when they march about with signs?
Comments continue below
seriously | 8:16 a.m. Nov. 21, 2008
Are you kidding me--there are no facts regarding the health risks of smoking? Where have you been--in the Middle Ages? Get online and get at all the facts. And as for smoking not affecting non-smokers--Second Hand Smoke is extremely dangerous. Just ask my kids with asthma.
Wesley | 11:44 a.m. Nov. 21, 2008
This is a protest even I can support.
IlikeTheirEfforts | 1:34 p.m. Nov. 21, 2008
I thinks it's great that teens care about a topic enough to leave their homes and video games to make a statement. I am shocked they can care about something bigger than who made the soccer team or who is going to prom. Their efforts also seemed well orchestrated. Great job!
taxes? really? | 1:44 p.m. Nov. 21, 2008
This group isn't against smokers or their choice. They are against the industry that lied to it's customers and now they are hooked. They are not blaming anyone, but offing help to those that want it. Have you ever wondered what this life would be like if people had a better quality of life, and families not torn apart by early deaths of loved ones? I'm sure taxes are something we can change or fix over time if there were no smokers. But why on earth not fix something just so we can keep taxes or "someone to blame." And really, no facts about health risks? Really? Really?
JanSan | 11:27 p.m. Nov. 21, 2008
Way to go!!!!

re: Smokers
YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING! how can someone who is smart enough to use a computer and type words - say something so stupid? unreal - I think you are just trying to get people upset...
Good for them | 7:57 a.m. Nov. 24, 2008
I think it's great that teens are standing up for something they believe in. Good for them for being part of a good cause and for standing up against big tobacco companies. Way to go, Phoenix Alliance! Way to go Andrea for being the leader and helping these kids do something positive!
Anonymous | 12:36 p.m. Nov. 24, 2008
Cancer tax? WOW! That is heartless. And do your research. Over 400,000 people a year die in this country due to tobacco related illnesses. Those aren't just numbers- they were someones mother, father, child, or grandparent. They were lied to by the tobacco companies and sold an incredibly addictive product that when used as directed kills.

Good work Phoenix Alliance! Expose Big Tobacco for the liers that they are.

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Utah teens march in downtown Salt Lake City to encourage smokers to quit during the Great American Smokeout on Thursday. (Scott G. Winterton, Deseret News)
Scott G. Winterton, Deseret News

Utah teens march in downtown Salt Lake City to encourage smokers to quit during the Great American Smokeout on Thursday.

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