Smoking (Teen FAQ)

Smoking is one in a series of six books created by Black Rabbit/Arcturus Publishing for addressing sensitive topics with adolescents. Unlike some of the other books in the series, Smoking does a fair job of presenting factual information regarding the relative truths and dangers inherent to smoking, while offering sound advice and including some relatable first-person accounts.

This book is one of the few in the series to include a more comprehensive glossary, with words defined almost strictly in context. Most criticism stems from the book's magazine/on-line pop-up bubble format, which allows little room for depth. Important facts are generally noted in discreet sentences, paragraphs or boxes and come one after the other, leaving little chance for reflection or for the heavy facts to really sink-in. Perhaps the most salient message of the entire book—"half of all smokers will eventually die from cancer or other smoking-related illnesses," is lost in the middle of an Agony Aunt (advice column) response. Adherence to an almost profound objectivity misses opportunities to highlight the direness of the consequences associated with smoking, as well. While some teens may benefit from the recommendations given for trying to quit in the final chapter (which seem truly helpful, though not arranged in the most logical order) or may be convinced to never start smoking by reading through the facts strewn throughout the book, the publication may be best suited for beginning discussions (or research projects) within the classroom—discussions about the dangers of smoking itself, but especially about subjects related to smoking, including tobacco manufacturer marketing strategies and media manipulation, especially of children and teens; the pros and cons of banning tobacco industry sponsorship; the appeal of Westernization; and the effects of secondhand smoke and an individual's right to breathe clean air (in particular, how this relates to persons who can't remove themselves from a smoke-filled environment, like babies and children). Reviewer: Deanna D'Antonio