Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 25 January 2002 — Page 7

7b all Hoosiers, Did you know the tobacco industry thinks you are stupid? Did you know that Brown & Williamson Tobacco is using Indianapolis as the only test market in the country for a new deadly cigarette and billing it as a better alternative to traditional brands? We are the Youth Advisory Board of Indiana Tobacco Prevention and Cessation and we urge all Hoosiers not be fooled by this latest marketing ploy by a tobacco company. Last week we invited Brown & Williamson to meet with us to tell us what makes this new product a "better alternative" to regular cigarettes and ask why they chose Indiana as their Guinea Pig. They declined our invitation saying they do not market to youth, and that this cigarette is for adult smokers. It angers us that a tobacco company Mould produce a new product to help keep smokers addicted to their deadly products and market it as a cigarette with "less carcinogens" to Hoosiers. The truth is, poisons are still POISONS! Telling you that a product that still kills is a better alternative makes no sense.

The Youth Advisory Board does not plan on sitting back and letting the tobacco industry target Hoosiers. With youth members from all over the state, we are arming ourselves with the knowledge of how the tobacco industry is manipulating the people of Indiana through its advertising.

Each year 10,300 Hoosiers die from tobacco use. Indiana ranks 4th in the nation in tobacco use and Indianapolis has the 3rd highest smoking rate among adults out of all major cities. With numbers like this, it's no wonder they've chosen our great city to test a new and equally addictive product.

We challenge you to check out the facts for yourself and see that this new product is just as deadly as traditional tobacco products.

We will not give up our fight and Me hope you will join us in telling Brown & Williamson that Hoosiers will not be Guinea Pigs for their new deadly product. Let the tobacco industry know that you will not be a Guinea Pig. Send a letter to Brown & Williamson Tobacco at www.itpc.in.gov., click on the Mords "guinea pigs."