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Lies, damn lies, and statistics

gav on 2004-01-25T23:03:59

They have these annoying public service adverts on TV here to try to stop teen smoking. Supposedly 8 out of 10 teens in Vermont don't smoke. This is supposed to be a great achievement and proof that smoking is bad.

When I see these adverts all I think is "20% of teens in Vermont smoke (illegally)". I don't think that's anything to be proud of.

my pet peeve ...

derby on 2004-01-26T14:06:45

Why. oh why, can't marketers reduce fractions to their lowest form? I know it's common to call it Grammar School but I know for a fact that they still teach math.

Chewing?

KM on 2004-01-27T01:56:35

And how many are chewing tobacco? Or drinking? Or having sodomy with a block of Vermont Cheddar?

Re:Chewing?

pudge on 2004-01-28T03:25:48

NOT ENOUGH!!

Re:Chewing?

rjbs on 2004-01-28T12:17:25

I don't know how chewing compares to smoking healthwise. I imagine they're in the same ballpark.

That said, I would /much/ rather have my friends/children/coworkers smoke than chew. Chewing tobacco is incredibly vile, and chewers end up carrying around little personal spitoons. The worst are those that are just repurposed /clear/ soda bottles. UGH.

Yeah, smoking's bad though.