Tobacco’s Presence in Poor Taste

When sponsors of Santa Ana’s Mexican Independence Day Celebration were listed, the R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. was not listed as a major contributor. Instead, Nabisco, which is a subsidiary of R.J. Reynolds, was listed. Nabisco products had a strong presence at the celebration with lines of children and adults walking through the tent to pick up peanuts, Lifesavers and cookies. At the end of the line were the packages of lethal cigarettes, fully displayed with posters of RJR’s “Smooth Joe Camel.”

Mexican Independence Day should be free of addictive and disease-inducing tobacco products. There is little freedom in addiction in a cancer ward, or in the chronic-care facilities of our hospitals. What we need is more freedom from advertising pressure and sales promotion about these deadly products.

According to the U.S. surgeon general, more than 3,000 teen-agers become regular smokers every day. If this trend doesn’t change, 5 million of today’s kids will end up dying from smoking-related illnesses in their adulthood.

I urge the festival organizers, Santa Ana City Council and other responsible adults to rally to the health of our children and decide to eliminate tobacco products and advertising from major city events.

VICKI WALKER

Santa Ana

Walker is a member of the Coalition for a Tobacco-Free Santa Ana.