don's report archive

by Donald B. Ardell, Ph. D.

Wellness in the Headlines
(Don's Report to the World)

A new survey, released by the Department of Health and Human Services and the University of Michigan Institute for Social Research, shows a significant drop in youthful smoking rates. From 1996 to 2001, the percentages of smokers in the eighth grade fell by nearly half from 21 to 12 percent. Other encouraging reductions were seen in all the high school grades. The declines were attributed to four factors:

1. Higher cigarette costs.
2. An aggressive antismoking campaign.
3. The withdrawal of some tobacco advertising.
4. Daily Don's Reports.
5. OK, forget the fourth factor. That's wishful thinking based on my fantasy of having DR's read aloud daily in classrooms throughout America. Some of my other fantasies probably have a better chance than this one.

"The antismoking campaigns have made smoking seem less attractive than ever," said one of the research directors. Added recognition by students of the hazards of smoking and the growing sense among teens that smoking is simply uncool, even stupid, has helped, too. The emphasis on peer attitudes is very strong among this age cohort. Young people report that smoking is perceived as not just dangerous, but as something of which their friends disapprove and do not respect. Not surprisingly, those who still smoke do so because they feel addicted, unable to stop. These students take comfort from illusions and other forms of simple denial. One was quoted to say, "My mom passed away from lung cancer, so I know the danger but I like to smoke. I think they will find a cure for cancer in a couple years so I don't worry about it."

The American Legacy Foundation, an organization funded by a 1998 tobacco settlement agreement, produced most of the anti-smoking ads. Leaders of this organization also attribute improvements to changing norms about smoking among teens.

All of which leads me to suggest that a different message is needed now in the campaign to encourage many more teens to forego smoking. What is most needed, I believe, is a positive, wellness message that seeks to persuade kids that there is more to being healthy and being cool than NOT doing something really dumb, like smoking. Why stop with preventing a negative? Why not promote something positive and beneficial that also gives great results. Living a wellness lifestyle would enable higher self-esteem, it would motivate kids to perform better at school and would give them a stronger sense of personal responsibility for the quality of their lives. These outcomes could supplement if not replace anti-smoking efforts.

If the American Legacy Foundation switched to producing clever ads about the domains and skill areas of self-management for lifestyle artistry, we might see a further drop in smoking rates AND a big increase in achievement scores. If this happened, there would probably be other kinds of constructive indicators in a few years signaling that our young people were becoming fitter and responsible, effective and successful. With such outcomes, the smoking rate would no doubt continue to fall, without the need to focus solely on this problem area. Instead of all that energy going to the bad things the kids are doing LESS often, we could celebrate the advances kids have made in doing wonderful things MORE often.

That's my idea for the next phase of the anti-smoking campaign. What do you think? Is this practical, desirable and/or likely?

Be well, have fun and ALOTBSOL (always look on the bright side of life). If you find that a little challenging, put things in perspective by considering this bit of amazing news just in. A bizarre squid 23 feet long unlike any creature known to exist has been discovered 3000 feet deep in a lightless zone of the ocean's depths. This zone encompasses 90 percent of the earth's biosphere. Now, isn't that something? Be glad that there is plenty of light where you are and that you, personally, HAVE been discovered and appreciated by so many of your friends.

(Note: This essay will be filed in the archives in the PHYSICAL DOMAIN under the skill area of lifestyle habits. Additional articles related to this theme may be found there.)

(Ed. Note: Views expressed in this and other columns are those of the author and not necessarily those of the SeekWellness Editorial Board.)

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