Smoking [Hardcover]

Laurence Pringle (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 9 and up

FACT: Cigarettes contain radioactive ingredients, tar, and more than forty other cancer-causing substances.FACT: Three million people die from smoking-related diseases each year.Even though most people know that cigarette smoking is hazardous to their health, nearly a billion individuals still smoke, and that number is increasing. Why?
Smoking. A Risky Business explores this contradiction. It describes the addictive nature of nicotine, the adverse physical effects of tobacco, and the scientific studies that prove tobacco smoke harms nonsmokers as well as smokers. It examines how the tobacco industry uses advertising, as well as political and economic strategies, to discredit medical claims -- and lure new young customers. And it takes a close look at the U.S. government's conflicting stand on tobacco: introducing laws to regulate tobacco as a drug, yet helping to open up new markets for cigarettes abroad.
Smoking is one of today's most controversial issues, and this hard-hitting book separates medical fact from ad agency hype. With teenagers the major source of new smokers, this is must reading for young smokers and nonsmokers alike.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-10?In a volume packed with information, Pringle clearly lays out the harmful effects of smoking and then takes on the advertising strategies used to discredit such claims. Beginning with a history of tobacco, he jumps into a forthright discussion of nicotine and other ingredients of cigarettes, also considering pipes and smokeless tobacco, the effects of second-hand smoke, and smoking during pregnancy. Much of the book, however, is directed at the claims and advertising put out by the tobacco industry to discount the medical research on the dangers of smoking. The involvement of the federal government in agricultural subsidies, and interest in tobacco as a growth industry are laid out, as well as FDA regulations, congressional bills, and class-action suits. Brian R. Ward's Smoking and Health (1986; o.p.) offers younger readers a calmer discussion of the health effects of smoking, as does Sherry Sonnett's Smoking (1988; o.p., both Watts); neither incorporates the political information or perspective. Margaret O. Hyde's Know about Smoking (Walker, 1995) includes an interesting treatment of conflicts between smokers and non-smokers and more information on smokeless tobacco, and addresses concerns about advertising.?Joyce Adams Burner, Hillcrest Library, Prairie Village, KS
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 3^-7. After a brief but intriguing look into the history of tobacco, which was once thought to be a possible cure for asthma, Pringle explores the substances smokers take into their bodies, paying special attention to scientific studies proving the addictive nature of nicotine. He follows with a look at the tactics used by tobacco manufacturers and their organizations to promote smoking and defeat restrictions, concluding with some tips on how to quit. Condemnatory but still restrained and with an excellent array of illustrations, this well-researched volume will satisfy curiosity and be a good source for reports. A list of organizations and a bibliography are appended. Susan Dove Lempke

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Hardcover: 124 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins (October 18, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0688130399
• ISBN-13: 978-0688130398
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 7.6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,035,408 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars The book was full of facts, but kind of set and plain., January 7, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Smoking (Hardcover)

I thought that the book was very helpful on giving the reader facts of smoking, the harm it can do to you, and what additives and ingredients that there are in a cigarette. The history of the tobacco nation seemed to be a long one with many good and bad times for the public and niccotine companies. Some specific things that I thought was good, was the way the public helped ourselves become aware of the harm and side affects smoking can do to you. The way the public put health warnings on smoking ads, putting up advertisements that was really disgusting but true, i.e. an unborn child smoking, symbolizing how smoking when pregnant can harm the child, and etc.