I
had a job interview a couple of years ago at an upscale
office building downtown. As I sat down to wait for
my interview, I noticed an annual report on the coffee
table for a major tobacco company. I picked it up and
as I quickly read through it I was mildly shocked to
discover that their market strategy for the coming year
included a push to increase market share among America’s
young. I put the report down, not only shocked but angry.
The lives of young Americans have been reduced to dollars
and cents and market share. Tobacco companies like any
profit making enterprise are in business - to make money.
Every profit has an associated cost, like the labor
and materials that are part of the product. The illnesses
and deaths of loved ones and friends has become the
biggest part of the cost – a cost too dear to
pay.
According
to the American Cancer society:
440,000 people die in the US each year from tobacco
use. Nearly 1 of every 5 deaths is related to smoking.
Cigarettes kill more Americans than alcohol, car accidents,
suicide, AIDS, homicide, and illegal drugs combined.
Among young people ages 18-24, it’s estimated
that 27% are smokers.
In
addition, smoldering/burning cigarettes are the leading
cause of fires globally causing an estimated 300,000
deaths annually. It’s important to learn to recognize
the devils tactics. Disguising something that’s
unhealthy – especially for you as a young person
and repackaging it as glamorous or something to make
you look more mature, is something he’s (the Devil)
had a lot of practice doing.
If
you haven’t started smoking don’t start!
Cigarette companies make their product move addictive
by adding nicotine (the US Surgeon General’s report
released in the late 1980’s warned of its additive
nature). If you are currently a smoker and want to stop,
make sure to pray and ask God to help you. Please see
the model prayer at the end of this article. Also send
us your prayer
request and let us know that you are a smoker
that wants to quit and we will pray for you. You can
also use the following link to the Centers for Disease
Controls (CDC) page titled: “You Can Quit Smoking
Consumer Guide” which will give you great tips
on how to stop: http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/quit/canquit.htm
Just
think, this could be a new beginning – you can
do it with God’s help. Why don’t you pray
this prayer right now?:
Dear
God,
I thank you that I can do all things through Christ
who strengthens me. Thank you for sending Your Son Jesus
to die on Calvary for me. Father, I’m sorry that
I started smoking – please forgive me. I can't
do this without your help and I want to honor you. I
understand now more than ever that my body is the temple
of the Holy Spirit - please help me Father in your mercy.
I love you. Amen
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are interested in your testimony. Please fill out our
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form so that we can share your victory with
others.
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