Students hear of tobacco’s dangers

High school students and community members learned the dangers of smoking Monday from a man related to “Big Tobacco,” Patrick Reynolds.

Reynolds, 54, gave presentations at Summerville High School, Sonora High School and the Sonora Opera Hall about how addictive cigarettes are and how marketing campaigns target youth.
  

The presentations were sponsored by Sonora Regional Medical Center to open its Smoke-free and Healthy Campaign.

As of Jan. 1, 2010, visitors, patients and employees will be prohibited from smoking anywhere on the medical center grounds, the hospital said in a statement.

Reynolds told students how his father, R.J. Reynolds Jr., son of R.J. Reynolds, died of emphysema.

Patrick Reynolds’ grandfather founded the R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co., manufacturer of the Camel, Century, Doral, Magna, Monarch, More, Now, Salem, Sterling, Vantage and Winston brands.

Patrick Reynolds worked to get smoking off airplanes and, in 1989, founded the Foundation for a Smokefree America.

“My dad started smoking in his teens,” Reynolds told students.

According to Reynolds, nine out of 10 smokers became addicted before their 19th birthdays, and most smokers try unsuccessfully to quit for 17 years before they actually are able to.

“Tobacco companies know they have to go after young people,” Reynolds said.

To relate to students, Reynolds told of how his parents divorced when he was 3 years old and he didn’t see his father again until he was 9. He died when Patrick was 15.

Reynolds said after his father and brother died of smoking-related diseases, he turned his back on “Big Tobacco” and “vowed to do everything to connect with young people.”

"Smoking is addictive. Tobacco is just as addictive as heroin. Once you start, you can’t stop,” he said.

Reynolds told students how “unscrupulous” advertising is and how there are adults out there who are not looking out for the best interest of children and youth.

“Be empowered and have your minds open,” Reynolds said.

He urged those whose mother or father smoke to tell their parents they love them and that they are concerned about the risk in smoking and being around second-hand smoke.

“It’s pure poison,” Reynolds said of smoke. “As sure as I’m standing here, we’ll have a smoke-free America.”    

Sonora High Associate Principal Chace Anderson said Reynolds’ presentation was “an important message.”

“When life throws you a difficult moment, talk to a trusted teacher, friend or counselor,” Reynolds said. “You will need to hold on to every precious bit of your health.”