The Centers for Disease Control has discovered that teen smoking is on the rise for the first time since 1997. From 2004 to 2005, teen smoking increased by 10%. Speculations as to the reason run the gamut of paternalistic talking points, from “cigarettes are not taxed enough” to “insufficient funding for education.”
The real reason might never be known, but my speculation is that teenagers, a species known for its natural cynicism, have seen through the corny thetruth.com ads, and can recognize brainwashing when they see it.
