Conscious Choice Seattle: Natural Tobacco Ads, Yes or No?

June 2004 | Letters to the Editor

Natural Tobacco Ads, Yes or No?

Note: In the May issue of Evergreen Monthly, we published an open letter from Ron Williams, CEO of Dragonfly Media, our parent company. He asked for reader opinions on whether or not to accept ad insertion orders from Santa Fe Natural Tobacco Co., a manufacturer of organic, “natural” tobacco products that is wholly owned by R. J. Reynolds Tobacco. Here are some of your letters and e-mails. Click here for our decision about the ad.

“Greener” Tobacco is Better Option

I think you should take the money and run the ads.

As a former smoker (1 year, 4 months, 11 days without a cigarette), I switched to American Spirit cigarettes before quitting. I feel taking the step to smoke additive-free cigarettes helped me quit. I did not know at the time they were wholly owned by R. J. Reynolds. That would have given me pause.

But I don’t think this question is really about cigarettes. I am also a reader of The Nation magazine, which went through this dilemma recently over some full-page color ads for Fox News claiming to provide fair and balanced news reporting. When I first saw the ad on the back I was shocked. Upon reflection I came to believe that a reader of The Nation would most likely see right through the ad so why not take Fox’s money from them?

To make a decision to not carry the ads is a great disservice to you and your readers. It is time for our country to encourage competing ideas, not suppress them.

I hope someday everyone will quit smoking cigarettes, but if people must smoke at least let them see the “greener” organic options available.

Trevor S. Carslay , Sumas

Take the Ad, Skip the Chemicals

As a reader of your magazine (who almost never writes letters to the editor) I write to encourage you to accept the advertising for American Spirit tobacco.

There is a difference among cigarettes. As a smoker of Sherman’s natural cigarettes, I have encouraged many smoking friends to change to their tobacco products that are much less harmful because of all the chemical additives they don’t contain.

American Spirit tobaccos are purer and better for smokers than the usual commercially available cigarettes, and I believe your readers deserve to be informed about this choice.

You will do them — and your publications — a service, by accepting this advertising.

Thanks for the nice coverage on the real heart and meaning of Slow Food (”Take It Slow, May). I look forward to seeing this movement I am a part of grow in our fertile region.

Maiyim Baron, Internet

Stick to Your Values on Healing the Body

I understand that $12,000 is a significant amount of money for a new, growing enterprise such as Evergreen Monthly, but don’t sell out to R. J. Reynolds. They do not value the health of the public and will do whatever it takes to promote their product. Organic tobacco, “natural” tobacco, means nothing. It still is the highly addictive carcinogen that you described.

R. J. Reynolds wants to tap the wellness market and ride the wake for financial success. In my opinion it is nothing but a ploy to keep current smokers by making them think that smoking is less harmful, plus coerce the younger generation to start smoking because it’s organic, natural and healthy.

My husband smoked for 40 years and now lives with pulmonary fibrosis as a result. Of course, he didn’t know it was harmful when he started, but he did find out that it was addictive. Even though he managed to kick the habit 10 years ago, he will live with the damage to his lungs for the rest of his life.

Stand firm on your decision. In the “Our Values” statement on your Internet sites you say: “We respect the body, the mind, and the spirit’s extraordinary power to heal.” If this is true, you will kiss R. J. Reynolds goodbye.

Carole Wiskirken, Auburn

“Organic” Tobacco Is Blowing Smoke

As I was reading your May issue, I was absolutely astounded to see just how respectful and honest this magazine is. Asking the opinion of its readers, especially an ad that would generate significant money, is a commendable action.

My husband has been struggling to quit smoking for the past two years. It is definitely an up and down battle. In his efforts he switched to American Spirit because he thought smoking a more natural cigarette would not only be better for him but maybe less addictive.

Most people think organic means it is good, or at least better, for you. If you decide to place the ad, make it known that just because the tobacco is organic doesn’t mean this is true. Smokers may not realize that point (we can only hope!).

But you shouldn’t risk losing the magazine; run the ad if you need the money. People won’t be that offended. They don’t seem offended by magazines that run ads that promote the message that fun can only be fun if you have alcohol.

Thank you for informing me that even organic is bad so I can tell my husband and friends.

Kristina Turner, Lynnwood

Politics Outweighs the Potential Profit

First of all I would like to thank you for including your readers in this process. This act speaks to the overall integrity of your publication. I respect the dialogue and want you to know that, no matter what you decide, your emotional congruity is something that we all hunger for in this dry machine age.

I started smoking when I was 16 because of peer pressure, and smoking has dogged me all of my days (I am now 44). As an activist, artist and Earth person, I have been ashamed of this habit; it has kept me from participating in all kinds of activities that are central to my well-being.

However, I am proud to say that I quit smoking 18 days ago and already my life has changed. I am smelling, breathing, taking in life. I am crying in sorrow, in joy, I am feeling a different kind of aliveness. God willing, I will never go back.

Cigarettes act like a powerful drug that goes into the bloodstream and gives one a heavy rush of sedation; cigarettes cause cancer; cigarettes are more highly addictive than heroin. Getting off them is the most difficult thing I have ever done. I have quit several times, only to go back in several inane attempts to be a casual smoker (”I’ll only smoke when I have a glass of wine,” etc.). If you decide to run the ads I will not stop reading your magazine, but I want to let you know that if these little tobacco sticks are from R. J. Reynolds (and I smoked American Spirits) they can’t be good; the politics alone should be worth the rejection.

Good luck in your decision,

Seven Dunsmore, Internet

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