Does It Matter If You Get Bad Grades

Grades matter when it comes to meeting future education goals, but goals and weighted GPAs are very different from one student to the next. For most students, the two biggest factors when it comes to grades are potential for scholarship awards and potential for college acceptance. Middle School Grades   Frankly, the most important goal for middle school students is to learn. Students must establish a solid foundation in the middle grades to be successful in high school. But dont stress: there is some good news here if youve already earned bad grades in middle school. Sometimes students can learn what they need to learn in middle school, but still, receive a bad report card because of poor attendance from illness or because of a bad experience. If your grades are bad in middle school, it probably wont hurt your chances of getting into your college of choice, or even receiving scholarship offers for college, as long as you have learned what you need to learn for high school! And if you havent learned what you need to in class, you can review on your own. A possible exception to this is receiving a bad grade in an honors class (usually in eighth grade) that counts as high school credit. The bad grade may be included in your high school GPA. Even so, you can recover from this, and most colleges will consider the situation and/or allow you to explain. High School Grades High school grades do matter when it comes to earning scholarships for college and being accepted into your college of choice. If your dreams are lofty and you have your heart set on one specific college, then you must take your grades seriously. You should avoid grade problems ahead of time if you become ill and have to miss class, or if you have a serious situation in your life that might impact your grades. You can sometimes avoid bad grades by simply communicating with your teacher. But just for the record, it is usually not a good idea to pin your hopes and dreams on a single college. This can cause stress and pressure, and that can do even more harm. In the event that you are already stuck with a bad grade point average in high school and you really want to go to college — you dont have to despair, really. You just have to be flexible about the type of college you are willing to attend, and you may have to prepare to pay your way through college with your family funds or through financial aid. Public colleges may have a rigid minimum GPA requirement, and they may not have the flexibility to consider each situation individually. If you find that you do not meet a minimum GPA requirement for universities in your state, you may have a few options. Many universities have set up alternative paths or plans for students who dont meet minimum entrance requirements. This type of program might involve an intense, challenging (and expensive) summer program that students must complete for fall acceptance, or it might involve a transfer program that requires that students start at a local community college and earn enough credits to allow them to transfer into the university of choice. College Grades Once students make it to college, they might think its okay to relax when it comes to grades. That can be dangerous! College grades matter when it comes to staying in college, receiving and keeping financial aid, and getting into a graduate school, if that is a goal. College grades can also matter when it comes to getting a good job. First, it is important to know that your first semester of college can be the most critical one when it comes to finishing college and keeping your financial aid. If you have too much fun and earn bad grades in your first semester, you can lose your financial aid - and earn a ticket home. This happens to thousands of college students every year, so beware this nightmare scenario. Secondly, your grades matter when it comes to getting accepted into certain majors, and students who mess up in the first semester can also sabotage their own future plans with bad grades, by locking themselves out of a major with a single failing grade. For example, it is not unusual for a specific degree program to have a C or Better policy in science courses. If you take a lab science in your first semester and earn a D, that can lock you out of several degree programs. Another reason to keep your college grades up is for graduate school acceptance. Many careers require advanced degrees — so you may have to go through a second college search once youve earned your first college degree. Your GPA is a critical factor for this. Finally, it might surprise you to know that some employers ask for college transcripts. A few bad grades might not hurt in this instance, but your overall performance will be a factor for some potential employers.

Reasons For Pro Capital Punishment - 1874 Words

Cultural Relativist states that morality is created collectively by groups of humans and differs from society to society. Each type of society has its own moral norms which are binding on the people who belong to that type of society. Each type of society defines who is and who is not a member of the moral community. When it comes to capital punishment, you could use Cultural Relativist as a tool or guide. There are many people who fall into different types of groups when talking about capital punishment, there are some people who are pro-capital punishment and there are others who are against it. Capital punishment is defined as: the legally authorized killing of someone as punishment for a crime. There are many reasons to be pro-capital punishment for example; Safety is the first thing that comes to my mind, you have one less person to worry about ever going to cause harm or pain in the world ever again. The second is the cost of prison time, sending people away to prison is a lot more expensive today than it was years ago. This is where capital punishment comes into place. It is a lot cheaper to just execute someone then just send them to jail. When it comes to being against capital punishment this is where certain types of religions come into place, others may not believe in executing someone because their religion does not approve of that type of treatment. In other words, God simply would not support the idea of execution. Another example would be morality, theShow MoreRelatedCapital Punishment Essay667 Words   |  3 PagesAdvent Catholic Encyclopedia, Capital Punishment is the infliction by due legal process of the penalty of death as a punishment for crime. Capital Punishment, also known as, the Death Penalty has been around for centuries. The first established death penalty laws date as far back as the Eighteenth Century B.C. in the Code of King Hammaurabi of Babylon, which codified the death penalty for 25 different crimes (www.deathpenaltyinfo.org) . Not only is Capital Punishment ancient, it is highly controversialRead MoreBureau Of Justice Statistics : The United States Primary Source For Criminal Justice1439 Words   |  6 PagesCapital Punishment. Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS). U.S. Department of Justice. 25 Nov. 2014. Web. Web. 25 Nov. 2014. Bureau of Justice Statistics is the United States primary source for criminal justice statistics. The website has published information on crime, criminal offenders, victims of crime, and the operation of justice systems at all levels of government. According to Bureau of Justice Statistics, â€Å"The Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) is a component of the OfficeRead More The Benefits of Capital Punishment Essay1044 Words   |  5 PagesBenefits of Capital Punishment Justice is about enforcing consequences for one’s own actions to endorse personal responsibility and the notion of capital punishment does just that. Capital punishment is an effective and efficient method of deterring would be criminals and preventing criminals to commit more crimes. It is by far the oldest form of punishment in the world and remains in effect in many nations. Through discussing many arguments in support of capital punishment it is obviousRead MoreThree Arguments For The Continuance of Capital Punishment Essay1740 Words   |  7 Pagesstudent in Sociology, I humbly impart my standpoint to the Justice System regarding the case on whether or not to abolish capital punishment. There is indeed a present case as of today that one US state had declared their petition on permanently removing death penalty in the entire United States. I believe that this is a very callous appeal – one main reason we have capital punishment is to develop a sense of moralit y as well as protection within the whole society, not to put such great emphasis on theRead MoreEssay on Capital Punishment720 Words   |  3 PagesCapital Punishment The definition of capital punishment is the legal punishment of death for violating criminal law. The person who gets capital punishment is the ones who committed serious crimes. Methods of capital punishment throughout the world are by stoning, beheading, hanging, electrocution, lethal injection and shooting. The two most common methods capital punishment use in the United States are lethal injection and electrocution. The lethal injection is the most used form of capitalRead More Pro Death Penalty Essay965 Words   |  4 PagesCapital punishment and the practice of the death penalty is an issue that is passionately debated in the United States. Opponents of the death penalty claim that capital punishment is unnecessary since a life sentence accomplishes the same objective. What death penalty opponents neglect to tell you is that convicted murders and child rapists escape from prison every year(List of prison escapes, 2015). As I write this essay, police are searching for two convicted murders who escaped from the ClintonRead MoreCapital Punishment : The Death Penalty1482 Words   |  6 PagesMrs. McElmoyl 12/12/14 Capital Punishment As stated by former governor of New York, Mario M. Cuomo, Always I have concluded the death penalty is wrong because it lowers us all; it is a surrender to the worst that is in us; it uses a power- the official power to kill by execution- that has never brought back a life, need inspired anything but hate. (Cuomo 1) This is one of the main arguments against capital punishment (also known as the death sentence.) Capital punishment is the ability for a governmentRead MoreShould Capital Punishment Still be Used in the American System1260 Words   |  6 PagesCapital punishment, also known as the death penalty, â€Å"is the pre-meditated and planned taking of a human life by a government in response to a crime committed by that legally convicted person† (usliberals.about.com). â€Å"Most death penalty cases involve the execution of murderers.† Capital punishment can also be â€Å"applied for treason, espionage, and other crimes† (ProCon.org Death Penalty ProCon.org ). The death penalty is done â€Å"primarily by means of lethal injection† (ProCon.org Death Penalty ProConRead MoreCapital Punishment Of The United States1152 Words   |  5 PagesRogerian Essay: Capital Punishment   Ã‚  Ã‚   There has been about 15,760 executions in the United States since 1700, (http://time.com/deathpenalty/), but that is counting all types of executions, for example: burning, firing squad, hanging, gas, electrocution, injection, and others. Now looking from when the capital punishment was approved in 1976 (Death penalty Information Center), only 1,448 executions have been made. The capital punishment was made for â€Å"retribution, theory which demand for ‘tooth forRead More Capital Punishment Essays1530 Words   |  7 Pages nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp; Capital Punishment He is escorted down to a room with handcuffs on both arms and feet. The tension in the room causes nervousness and a stirring in his stomach, which entombs his dinner from the night before. He is told to take a seat. Still in doubt of his fate he notices the witnesses and their various expressions. His family is grief-stricken, a sharp contrast to the family of the brutally murdered, for which he was found guilty of

Dementia Brain and Self Care Activities free essay sample

Alzheimers disease is a progressive disease that destroys memory and other important mental functions. In Alzheimers disease, the connections between brain cells and the brain cells themselves degenerate and die, causing a steady decline in memory and mental function. The disease was first described by Dr. Alois Alzheimer, a German physician, in 1906. Its the most common cause of dementia — a group of brain disorders that results in the loss of intellectual and social skills. These changes are severe enough to interfere with day-to-day life. Definition Alzheimers disease is a progressive, degenerative disorder that attacks the brains nerve cells, or neurons, resulting in loss of memory, thinking and language skills, and behavioral changes. Epidemiology An estimated 5% of people older than age 65 have a severe form of this disease, and 12% suffer from mild to moderate dementia. Because this is a primary progressive dementia, the prognosis for a patient with this disease is poor. Causes †¢Unknown †¢Neurochemical factors, such as deficiencies of the neurotransmitters, acetylcholine, somatostatin, norepinephrine. †¢Viral factors such as CNS factors. †¢Genetic immunological factors †¢Trauma †¢Environmental factors, such as aluminium and manganese Risk factors Age Increasing age is the greatest known risk factor for Alzheimers. Alzheimers is not a part of normal aging, but the risk increases greatly after the person reach age 65. Nearly half of those older than age 85 have Alzheimers. Family history and genetics The risk of developing Alzheimers appears to be somewhat higher if a first-degree relative — if the person’s parent or sibling — has the disease. If there is changes (mutations) in three genes that virtually guarantee a person who inherits them will develop Alzheimers. But these mutations account for less than 5 percent of Alzheimers disease. Sex Women may be more likely than are men to develop Alzheimers disease, in part because they live longer. Mild cognitive impairment People with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) have memory problems or other symptoms of cognitive decline that are worse than might be expected for their age, but not severe enough to be diagnosed as dementia. Those with MCI have an increased risk — but not a certainty — of later developing dementia. Past head trauma People whove had a severe head trauma or repeated head trauma appear to have a greater risk of Alzheimers disease. Lifestyle and heart health Lack of physical activity, cognitive stimulation, social engagement and a healthy diet. Others Lack of exercise Smoking High blood pressure High blood cholesterol Poorly controlled diabetes A diet lacking in fruits and vegetables Lack of social engagement Stages and Symptoms Alzheimer’s disease progresses in three stages: a)Mild or Early Stage Functions Symptoms Language Anomia, empty speech Memory Defective Visuospatial skills Impaired Calculation Impaired Personality Indifferent, occasionally irritable, sad or depressed Motor system Normal EEG Normal CT/MRI scan Normal b)Moderate or Middle Stage Functions Symptoms Language Fluent aphasia Memory Severely impaired Visuospatial skills Severely impaired Personality Indifferent, irritable, suspicious and angry Motor system Restless, pacing EEG Slowing of background rhythms CT scan/ MRI Atrophy c)Severe or Late Stage Functions Symptoms Intellectual function Severely impaired Language Palilalia, echolalia or mutism Motor system Limb rigidity Sphincter control Incontinence EEG Diffuse slowing CT scan/ MRI Diffuse atrophy Tests and Diagnosis †¢History taking of the patient with his/her near family members, relatives and friends. †¢Physical and neurological exam Reflexes Muscle tone and strength Ability to get up from a chair and walk across t the room Sense of sight and hearing Coordination Balance †¢Lab tests Blood tests may help to rule out other potential causes of memory loss and confusion, such as thyroid disorders or vitamin deficiencies. †¢Mental status testing A brief mental status test is done to assess the memory and other thinking skills. Short forms of mental status testing is done which takes about 10 minutes. †¢Neuropsychological testing consists of a battery of tests designed to assess cognitive ability and reasoning. These tests can help differentiate Alzheimer’s disease from other types of dementia. †¢Cerebrospinal Fluid Analysis may help determine if the patient’s signs and symptoms stem from a chronic neurologic infection. Cerebral blood flow studies may detect abnormalities in blood flow to the brain. †¢EEG Allows evaluation of the brain’s electrical activity and may show slowing of the brain waves in the late stages of the disease. This diagnostic test also helps identify tumors, abscesses, and other intracranial lesions that might cause the patient’s symptoms. †¢Brain imaging Images of the brain are now used chiefly to pinpoint visible abnormalities related to conditions other than Alzheimers disease — such as strokes, trauma or tumors — that may cause cognitive change. Brain-imaging technologies include: Computerized tomography (CT) In some patients shows progressive brain atrophy in excess of that which occurs in normal aging. -Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) Magnetic resonance imaging may permit evaluation of the condition of the brain and rule out intracranial lesions as the source of dementia. -Positron emission tomography (PET) Measures the metabolic activity of the cerebral cortex and may help confirm early diagnosis. Treatments and drugs †¢No cure or definitive treatment exists for Alzheimer’s Disease. Treatment focuses on attempting to slow disease progression, managing behavioral problems, implementing modifications of the home environment, and eliciting family support. †¢However some medications have proven helpful. Cholinesterase inhibitors ?These drugs work by boosting levels of a cell-to-cell communication chemical depleted in the brain by Alzheimers disease. Less than half of those taking these drugs can expect to have any improvement in their memory function. ?Commonly prescribed cholinesterase inhibitors include donepezil (Aricept), galantamine (Razadyne) and rivastigmine (Exelon). The main side effects of these drugs include diarrhea, nausea and sleep disturbances. Memantine (Namenda) ?This drug works in another brain cell communication network and slows the progression of symptoms with moderate to severe Alzheimers disease. Its sometimes used in combination with a cholinesterase inhibitor. Prevention †¢Many of the same factors that increase the risk of heart disease can also increase the risk of Alzheimers disease and vascular dementia. Important factors that may be involved include high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, excess weight and diabetes. Therefore considerations should be made for reducing the risks related to the disease. †¢Physical activity, cognitive stimulation, social engagement and a healthy diet may be helpful. These activities also help in memory compensation strategies that help optimize daily function even if brain changes progress. †¢Keeping active — physically, mentally and socially — may make life more enjoyable and may also help reduce the risk of Alzheimers disease. †¢Regular exercise has known benefits for heart health and may also help prevent cognitive decline. Exercise may also help improve mood. †¢A diet low in fat and rich in fruits and vegetables is another heart-healthy choice that also may help protect cognitive health. †¢Omega-3 fatty acids found in fish are good for the heart and can boost on cognitive health. †¢Social engagement and intellectual stimulation may make life more satisfying and help preserve mental function. Nursing Management Assessment History Taking Mental Status Examination Physical Examination Reviewing Symptoms Nursing Diagnosis ? Impaired thought process related to declining cognitive function ? Risk for injury related to decline in cognitive function ? Anxiety related to confused thought processes ? Imbalanced nutrition less than body requiremente related to cognitive decline ? Activity intolerance related to imbalance in activity/rest pattern ? Deficient self care, bathing/hygiene, feeding, toileting related to cognitive decline ? Impaired social interaction related to cognitive decline ? Deficient knowledge of family/caregiver related to care for patient as cognitive function declines Planning and Goal Supporting cognitive function Promoting physical safety Reducing anxiety Maintaining adequate nutrition Improving activity tolerance Promoting independent in self care activities Meeting socialization needs Improve education for caring the patient at home Nursing Intervention ?Supporting cognitive function Provide a calm, predictable environment to minimize confusion and disorientation. Help patient feel a sense of security with a quiet, pleasant manner, clear, simple explanation and use of memory aids and cues. ?Promoting physical safety Provide a safe environment to allow patient to move about as freely as possible and relieve family’s worry about safety. Prevent falls and other accidents by removing obvious hazards and providing adequate lighting. Monitor intake of medication and food. Supervise all activities outside the home to protect patient. Avoid restraints, because they may increase agitation. ?Reducing anxiety and agitation Give emotional support to support a positive self image. When skill losses occur, adjust goals to fit patient’s declining ability and structure activities to help prevent agitation. Keep the environment simple, familiar, and noise free; limit changes. Remain calm and unhurried. Use easy to understand sentence to convey messages. ?Promoting adequate nutrition Keep mealtimes simple and calm. Cut food into small pieces to prevent choking and convert liquids to gelatin to ease swallowing. Offer one dish at a time. Prevent burns by serving typically hot food and beverages warm. ?Balancing activity and rest Help patient to relax to sleep with music, warm milk or a back rub. To enhance night time sleep, provide sufficient opportunities for day time exercise. Discourage long periods of day time sleeping. ?Promoting independence in self care activities Simplify daily activities into short achievable steps so that the patient feels sense of accomplishments. Maintain patient’s personal dignity and autonomy. Encourage patient to make choices when appropriate and to participate self care activities as much as possible. ?Meeting socialization needs Encourage visits, letters and phone calls. (visits should be brief and nonstressful; with one or two visitors at a time). ?Family Teaching Advise family member to provide patients with exercise. Suggest physical activities, such as walking or light house work, that occupy and satisfy the patient. Tell them about the importance of diet. The patient becomes forgetful especially of recent events. Aware of his function, he may compensate by relinquishing tasks that might reveal his forgetfulness.

Tobacco Litigation and the Youth Essay Example For Students

Tobacco Litigation and the Youth Essay Tobacco Litigation and the YouthAbstractOver the yearsthe tobacco industry has faced a number of controversies. Even though it hasbeen accused of everything short of murder it has managed to survive andthrive. Yet, the trend is changing the consumers are no longer to sit back andsign their death warrants and those of their children as they inhale the deadlysmoke that emerges from the manufacturer product. They are fighting back andthe law is backing them all the way. (Pierce JP et al 1991)Introduction. The business ofmaking tobacco products has come into the limelight as the conspiracy theoriesof the industry are being revealed. Through the litigation being carried outagainst them, it has been seen that the industry players are an oligopoly in afree market and are against the consumer. They have no values for the rights ofthe consumers and are working for sheer profit. They have together created thetrend of suppressing the development of less hazardous cigarettes so that thereare no ways for comparison against the more harmful cigarettes. The reason forthis is simple. The industry is one that is dependent on its product. If onecompany accuses another of making a product that is harmful or addictive theother companies will follow suit and if this happens the consumer would have tosit up and listen. They would then realize that all is not rosy and the messagebeing given to them that smoking is something done by successful, healthy,young, smiling people with very white teeth is wrong. (Herbert B. 1998)False AdvertisingThe tobaccoindustry is facing charges of false advertising. For years the firms havetargeted the audience making false claimsin spite of knowing the harm thatthe product causes. With the emergence of the global market the consumers havegotten smarter and realize that the tobacco companies have been giving them thewrong information regarding the marketing of their product. (New York Times;October 11, 1998.)Consider thestatements being made by the representatives of the tobacco companies thatsmoking is harmless. In 1994, the CEOs of seven tobacco companies testified,under oath, that nicotine is not addictive. And yet, the tobacco companies havelong known that nicotine is addictive. One industry document from 1963 says, . . . nicotine is addictive. We are . . . in the business of selling nicotine,an addictive drug. (http://www.womenof.com/Articles/le030298.asp)Similarly thetobacco industry has known that smoking causes cancer and yet, they have madepu blic claims that have stated that they do not have conclusive proof of thefact. We will write a custom essay on Tobacco Litigation and the Youth specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now Yet, in theirown files, the tobacco companies had plenty of proof that smoking cigarettesdoes cause cancer. A 1961 confidential memorandum, for example, describescigarette tobacco as:1. Cancercausing; 2. Cancerpromoting; 3. Poisonous;and 4. Stimulating,pleasurable, and flavorful. Adolescent SmokingWhat has reallycreated the fervor against the tobacco industry is the realization that theyare targeting our future and crippling it. It is targeting the youth. Accordingto a U.S. Surgeon Generals Report, every day 3,000 children become smokers. Ofthose 3,000 kids, 1,000 will die prematurely because of their tobacco habit. Tobacco use among minors has risen dramatically in recent years, despite thefact that it remains illegal for minors to purchase tobacco. Every year,425,000 Americans die from smokinga habit most of them began as teenagers. Toput that number in perspective, think about the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Thats seven times the number of names on the Vietnam wall. (http://www.womenof.com/Articles/le030298.asp)The fact is thatsmoking for youth fewer than eighteen years of age is considered illegal andyet, companies still cater to the kids breaking the lawtime and time again. Joe Camel is although its not the only one is one of advertising aimeddirectly, and successfully, at kids. According tofiles from the tobacco industry polls were analyzed regarding the best mannerin which to sell cigarettes to kids from the age of 14-18. Kids were encouragedto shoplift to get cigarettes so that in the future they would become goodcustomers. Philip MorrissMarlboro, became the dominant brand by the early 1970s on the strength of itsappeal to young baby boomers. Documents show that every manufacturer sought toreplicate that success. Todays teenager is tomorrows potential regularcustomer, and the overwhelming majority of smokers first begin to smoke whilein their teens, noted a 1981 Philip Morris corporate memo. At leastpart of the success of Marlboro Red during its most rapid growth period wasbecause it became the brand of choice among teenagers who then stuck with it asthey grew older. The document defined teenagers as those 12 to 19 yearsold. (Fromson 1998)Litigation CausesIn lieu of thefacts that have been realized through some of the litigation cases the Congressbegan to consider forming a National Legislation that would allow all tobaccolawsuits to be settled. The reason for the legislation would be simple. Whilethe tobacco companies right to sell to adults would be predeterminedit wouldnot have the right to market to the youth. This would be done through providingthe public accurate information and considering the adults as having the rightto make an informed choice. The nationallegislation would then be in a position to make an effort so that thegovernment would make youth stop smoking. The national legislation would allow the nation to realizethe effects of tobacco on the children and be more appropriate than the statestrying to fight against the uncertain suits arising throughout its tenure. Thenational legislation would balance regulatory power between the states andfederal agencies. (Skretny MT, et al 1990)State of Colorado vs. the Tobacco Companies 1997The State ofColorado filed suit against tobacco companies because the industry over theyears has targeted youth with their products and has discounted the notion thattobacco was addictive. As a result, state Medicaid funds have been consumed atan alarming rate to address the health problems incurred by those who smoke. This settlement holds the tobacco industry liable for smoking-related illnessesand awards damages accordingly. The settlementreached between the five largest tobacco companies and attorneys general from46 states, four territories and the District of Columbia will total $206billion over 25 years. Colorado will receive nearly $2.7 billion over thatperiod. Colorados initial share is expected to be almost $33 million, with thestate receiving roughly $100 million per year under the terms of thesettlement. However, the final amount is based on several factors of whichinflation and tobacco consumption are major variables. .u597d9d7539598c9c68d69c65f4c9931d , .u597d9d7539598c9c68d69c65f4c9931d .postImageUrl , .u597d9d7539598c9c68d69c65f4c9931d .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u597d9d7539598c9c68d69c65f4c9931d , .u597d9d7539598c9c68d69c65f4c9931d:hover , .u597d9d7539598c9c68d69c65f4c9931d:visited , .u597d9d7539598c9c68d69c65f4c9931d:active { border:0!important; } .u597d9d7539598c9c68d69c65f4c9931d .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u597d9d7539598c9c68d69c65f4c9931d { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u597d9d7539598c9c68d69c65f4c9931d:active , .u597d9d7539598c9c68d69c65f4c9931d:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u597d9d7539598c9c68d69c65f4c9931d .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u597d9d7539598c9c68d69c65f4c9931d .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u597d9d7539598c9c68d69c65f4c9931d .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u597d9d7539598c9c68d69c65f4c9931d .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u597d9d7539598c9c68d69c65f4c9931d:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u597d9d7539598c9c68d69c65f4c9931d .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u597d9d7539598c9c68d69c65f4c9931d .u597d9d7539598c9c68d69c65f4c9931d-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u597d9d7539598c9c68d69c65f4c9931d:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Things They Carried By Tim O`Brien EssayA studyconducted by the University of California at Berkeley found that medical billsfrom tobacco-related illnesses total a staggering $72 billion in the U.S. eachyear. These expenses are truly outrageous and Colorado should use its share ofthe tobacco settlement to improve the health of Coloradans and prevent the highmedical bills associated with this deadly habit. Gale Norton StatementI am a proponent of personal responsibility forones actions. The history of the war on drugs demonstrates the difficulty ofregulating Americans use of substances. With 48 million Americans addicted tonicotine, I believe there is little chance of developing a public consensus atleast in the next 10- 15 years favoring tobacco prohibition, much lessovercoming the practical problems of administering a worthwhile enforcementprogram. Given these views, I was a tough sell on the idea that litigationagainst the tobacco industry was justified. However, as part of my duties to the Peopleof Colorado, my staff and I reviewed thousands of pages of documents revealingthe behaviors of the tobacco industry over several decades. After careful andthoughtful analysis, I concluded that the behaviors of the industry inmarketing to and encouraging the use of tobacco products by kids,misrepresenting the health effects of their products, and conspiring to keepsafer products off the mark et were illegal under well-established Colorado law. Given these violations of Colorado law, I filed suit. We sought civilpenalties, treble damages, and disgorgement of illegal profits, as well asinjunctions against future illegal conduct. I believe that Colorado has a solid case,and we are prepared to litigate. Nevertheless, I strongly support thesettlement agreement because I believe it provides a means to establish aconsistent and orderly resolution of the tobacco industry issues for the entirenation. It is clearly preferable to lengthy and uncertain litigation which mayresult in different results and regulation in each of the states. Thisagreement represents a compromise, which though not perfect, achieves as muchor more than litigation ever could, and provides a balance of regulatory powerbetween the states and federal agencies. Criticism of the settlement has tended tofocus on whether it went far enough in punishing the tobacco companies. Whilethe settlement reflects a hard-fought compromise, some of the public debatereflects the best in Monday-morning quarterbacking. For example, if youthsmoking reduction goals are not met, the settlement would impose the largestpenalty ever paid by any industry. This penalty accomplishes the objective ofreorienting the incentives for the industry: giving them a financial stake inpreventing underage smoking. This allows us to work with the industry to combatteen smoking. It allows us to use the manufacturers influence over theirdistributors and retailers to create a true change in industry mindset. (Norton Congressional Testimony 1997)Texas vs. Tobacco firms The tobaccoindustry agreed to pay a record $14.5billion to settle a lawsuit filed by the state of Texas, representing thelatest in a series of concessions by the beleaguered industry. (Torri andConnolly 1998)Under the termsof the settlement, private lawyers representing the state will walk with nearly$2.2 billion. The Texas lawsuit was one of 41 filed by state attorneys generalseeking billions of dollars to compensate states for the costs of treating sicksmokers through Medicaid programs. Under thepotential agreement, the state would receive an up-front payment of more than$1 billion and the remainder over 25 years. The industry would also fund amultimillion-dollar campaign aimed at stopping underage smoking, according to asource familiar with the talks. Along with a banon tobacco billboards, provisions of the Texas settlement include eliminationof cigarette vending machines from any place accessible to teenagers and theremoval of tobacco advertising from sports arenas, buses and trains, accordingto the Los Angeles Times. AnalysisSince the hugesettlement against the tobacco countries and the states in 1998 it would behoped that the incidence of youth smoking would be reduced. But such is not thecase. According to studies being conducted there are a large number ofadvertising magazines that are being read by teenagers that feature cigaretteads and actually since 1998, when they agreed in a court settlement they wouldnot target youths in their ads, the tobacco industries have actually increasedtargeting youth! (King C. 1998)State officialswho participated in the $206 billion settlement said the findings show tobaccocompanies may be violating settlement terms. Attorneys general from around thecountry are now in the discovery phase of an investigation into cigaretteadvertising placements, according to Washington Attorney General ChristineGregoire. Cigarette makers said the studies were misleading. One of the studieswas by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and the American LegacyFoundation, a nonprofit group funded by the settlement, completed the other. Theresnothing that a tobacco company can do that wont receive criticism from thespecial interest groups that have their own political agenda, said MarkSmith, a spokesman for the Kentucky-based Brown and Williamson TobaccoCorporation. The 1998agreement settled lawsuits against cigarette manufacturers brought by 46 statesto recover the costs of treating sick smokers. One section of the settlementforbids tobacco companies from targeting people younger than 18 in theiradvertising, marketing and promotions. The Massachusetts study comparedcigarette advertising expenditures in magazines before and after thesettlement, focusing on 19 popular magazines with more than 15 percent of theirreadership between the ages of 12 and 17. Fifteen percent was the level used bythe Food and Drug Administration in its efforts to regulate tobacco. Magazinesin that category include Rolling Stone, Glamour and Sports Illustrated. In thefirst nine months of 1999, cigarette makers spent $119.9 million advertising,much of it on brands most popular with young smokers, in magazines with asignificant percentage of teen readers, the study found. That is almost $30million more than was spent in the same magazines in the corresponding periodbefore the settlement, the study said. Thus, the stateattorneys general have begun to conduct investigations to find wheater thetobacco companies have violated the 1998 national settlement by advertising toyoung people. Based on language in the settlement prohibiting tobacco companypractices that target youth, the tobacco enforcement committee ofthe National Association of Attorneys General is collecting evidence about whatcigarette companies are advertising, and where they are advertising it. Attorney GeneralChristine Gregoire of Washington state, an author of the 46-state tobaccoagreement, said the four-month-old investigation could trigger lawsuits againstthe industry if the group determines the tobacco ads are designed to lureteenagers.We have tried to reach an agreement with the industry on thisissue but have been unable to, Gregoire said. PresidentClinton had urged the attorneys general to take immediate and appropriateenforcement action to stop these practices. Yet, its been two years sinceand little headway has been made. .u3ffdb88b8515bce19d43ed96585689b0 , .u3ffdb88b8515bce19d43ed96585689b0 .postImageUrl , .u3ffdb88b8515bce19d43ed96585689b0 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u3ffdb88b8515bce19d43ed96585689b0 , .u3ffdb88b8515bce19d43ed96585689b0:hover , .u3ffdb88b8515bce19d43ed96585689b0:visited , .u3ffdb88b8515bce19d43ed96585689b0:active { border:0!important; } .u3ffdb88b8515bce19d43ed96585689b0 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u3ffdb88b8515bce19d43ed96585689b0 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u3ffdb88b8515bce19d43ed96585689b0:active , .u3ffdb88b8515bce19d43ed96585689b0:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u3ffdb88b8515bce19d43ed96585689b0 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u3ffdb88b8515bce19d43ed96585689b0 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u3ffdb88b8515bce19d43ed96585689b0 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u3ffdb88b8515bce19d43ed96585689b0 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u3ffdb88b8515bce19d43ed96585689b0:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u3ffdb88b8515bce19d43ed96585689b0 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u3ffdb88b8515bce19d43ed96585689b0 .u3ffdb88b8515bce19d43ed96585689b0-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u3ffdb88b8515bce19d43ed96585689b0:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: ETHICAL DECISION MAKING EssayIndustryofficials say they are abiding by the agreement and have discontinuedadvertising in magazines they believe appeal to young people. But there isdisagreement over how to determine exactly which magazines meet that criterion. A spokesman for Philip Morris Cos. said that his company will propose thatan independent, accurate third-party methodology be established fordetermining youth readership of magazines and be used as a standard for tobaccoadvertising. As part of the 1998 tobacco settlement, tobacco companies agreedto stop advertising on billboards and to avoid the Joe Camel typeof ads that many believed appealed primarily to young people. In addition, muchof the industry pledged to follow proposed Food and Drug Administrationguidelines that placed magazines with youth readership of more than 15 percentoff limits to cigarette ads. (Pierce JP 1998)When todays tobacco executives ask the public tobelieve that they are no longer targeting our children, they deserve the sametrust as their predecessors when they swore under oath before Congress thattheir products are not addictive, said Matthew Myers, president of theCampaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, after the studies were released. Tobaccocompanies increased m agazine advertising after their use of billboards wasprohibited. The companies also had to defend their markets in the face of sharpcigarette price increases that were imposed to cover the costs of their $206billion national settlement with the states. (Adelson A. 1997)ArgumentThe litigation against the tobacco countries has beenfocusing on the youth and yet, it has managed to increase the sales. The reasonfor this lies in human psychology. Over the years the tobacco industries havetargeted the youth but all the time sent the message that smoking is a maturething that is done by the adults. It is like dangling a carrot in front of thekids. (Washington Post news service November 9, 1997.)The youth in their attempt to compete against the adultshave begun to go for the forbidden fruit. By stating that cigarettes are anadults choice they are forcing the adolescents to rebel and show those aroundthem that they too are adults and have the right to make their own choices. Thus, the case is playing right into the hands of the tobacco companies andhanding them on a silver platter what they have been for years striving toattain. As Goodman(1996) wrote in her article The youth turf is in fact the tobacco companiesbriar patch. They love it there. In mid-May, when Philip Morris tried its endrun around government proposals on marketing to kids, a spokesman said with astraight face, `The time has come to address the issue of underage use oftobacco. That was just the latest in a long line of helpful hints on`underage smoking. Since 1979, the tobacco folks have recycled wholeseries of `tobacco education messages that describe smoking as `one ofthe many activities some people choose to do as adults, such as `voting,driving a car, drinking alcoholic beverages, marriage and havingchildren. There you go. Linkingcigarettes with driving, drinking and sex. What a turnoff!Thefact is that the only way to prevent the youth from smoking is by banning it tothe whole societ y. At the moment the youth are merely being tempted to do whathas been forbidden and the increase in smoking statistics is proving the fact. Adolescent smoking is not the result of youthful experimentation with aforbidden fruit, but has become in actuality the result of a deliberatepsychological assault by the tobacco industry and in order to counter thestrategy it must be fully comprehendedand combated. ConclusionInvestor Thomas A. Russo, a partner at Gardner Investmentsin Lancaster, Pa., who holds shares in Philip Morris for clients, said,What makes Marlboro such a remarkable consumer product is that its marketshare among 20-year-olds is as high as its share among 40-year-olds and60-year-olds.Today,Marlboro accounts for 75 percent of Philip Morriss domestic tobacco profits,according to analyst Black, and has nearly half of the U.S. market forfull-price cigarettes, which also explains why the companys profit margins arethe highest in the business. (Boston Globe October 13, 1998.)Thelitigation cases rampant around the nation are witness to the fact that theconsumers have finally become educated to the fact that smoking is injurious tohealthnot only as a label but as a fact. However, the tactic the states haveadapted to fight against the industries is wrong. The youth are increasinglyfavoring tobacco in different forms and the litigation cases banning youthsmoking are to vague to actu ally succeed. The case in advertisingwhere thetobacco companies still advertises is magazines is a fact to the case. Thus,unless tobacco industries are completely banned youth smoking willincreasesteadily and fatally. (Center for Substance Abuse PreventionJanuary/February 1995, p38-41.)References1. The Future of Tobacco Litigation and Policy by GaleNorton, Attorney General of Colorado available at http://www.womenof.com/Articles/le030298.asp2. TOBACCOSETTLEMENT:GALE A. NORTON (Congressional Testimony); 11-13-1997 STATE OFCOLORADO DEPARTMENT OF LAW OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL HOUSE COMMERCECOMMITTEE GALE A. NORTON ATTORNEY GENERAL OF COLORADO November 13, 19973. EllenGoodman / Boston Globe, Youth anti-smoking campaign is tobacco firms briarpatch. , The Dallas Morning News, 06-09-1996, pp 7J. 4. Centerfor Substance Abuse Prevention. Growing Up Tobacco Free.Prevention Pipeline,Center for Substance Abuse Prevention January/February 1995, p38-41. 5. Editorial. The surge in teen smoking. New York Times; October 11, 1998. 6. Editorial. Joe Camels children Boston Globe October 13, 1998. 7. HerbertB. Pursuing children. OpED New YorkTimes; May 3, 1998. 8. PierceJP et al Does tobacco advertising target young people to start smoking?Evidence from California . JAMA 1991;266:3154-3158. 9. KingC. et al Adolescent exposure to cigarette advertising in magazines JAMA1998;279:516-522010. PierceJP et al Tobacco industry promotion of cigarettes and adolescent smoking JAMA 1998;279:511-515. 11. HoppockKC, Houston TP. Availability of tobacco products to minors. J Fam Pract. 1990;30:174-176. 12. SkretnyMT, Cummings M, Sciandra R, Marshall J. An intervention to reduce the sale ofcigarettes to minors. N Y State J Med. 1990; 90:54-55. 13. AdelsonA. Is anybody getting the picture: despite ads, teen-age smoking is unabatedNew York Times July 17, 1997. 14. Mixedresults seen in costly efforts on youth tobacco use Washington Post newsservice November 9, 1997. 15. Slugfest in the Smoke Ring By Brett D. FromsonWashington Post Staff Writer Sunday, March 1, 1998; Page H01 available at http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/national/longterm/tobacco/stories/slugfest.htm16. TobaccoFirms Set to Pay Texas $14.5 Billion By Saundra Torry and Ceci ConnollyWashington Post Staff Writers Friday, January 16, 1998; Page A01 available athttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/national/longterm/tobacco/stories/texas.htm