Even though this assembly was not conducted in Utah County, the fact that it was held and that it was targeted at the audience that needs it most is very respectable.
The grandson of a major tobacco producer had a powerful message to share with Utah students Monday about the industry he has turned his back on.
The crowd, particularly the girls, let out a sigh when they saw a picture of “Twilight” star Robert Pattinson lounging back in a muscle shirt holding a cigarette.
The adverse health effects from cigarette smoking account for an estimated 443,000 deaths, or nearly one of every five deaths, each year in the United States. -Centers for Disease Control & Prevention“Bad vampire!” said presenter Patrick Reynolds.
The Butler Middle School students then recoiled when Reynolds showed them pictures of people with mouth cancer, throat cancer and a 17-year-old track star with tongue cancer who died at 19 years old from chewing tobacco.
Reynolds was trying to show the students the truth about tobacco. He should know — he’s the grandson of RJ Reynolds, a tobacco magnate.
“I wanted to connect with the audience from talking from my heart. What’s in my heart? My father dying from smoking,” he said.
What are your thoughts on this approach to anti-smoking?