● Get physical activity: All types of aerobic physical activity—from jogging to playing basketball to dancing—cause your body to release endorphins, or chemicals that make you feel better. Physical activity is also good for physical health. ● ● Do a simple activity: Focusing on a simple activity that is not stressful can help relieve stress. Try doing an activity with your hands, such as coloring or woodworking. This will distract you from whatever is stressing you and help you relax. Think Critically Advertisements for cigarettes, vaping devices, and smokeless tobacco try to make these products look attractive. Companies that sell tobacco products cannot advertise on TV, radio stations, or billboards. Because an estimated 480,000 people die every year from diseases caused by tobacco in the US, tobacco companies have to use sneaky strategies to persuade people to use their products. Fortunately, critical thinking can help you recognize the tobacco industry’s sneaky practices and avoid being tricked. Most people today know that cigarettes are dangerous. Since this knowledge has spread, tobacco companies have changed the types of products they sell to appeal to young people. Some tobacco products look like mints, toothpicks, electronic devices, breath strips, and flavored candy. These products have names that resemble sugary snacks more than addictive tobacco products. To advertise these products, some tobacco companies mimic popular social media trends to appeal to young people. To resist these strategies, use critical thinking skills to analyze tobacco products and the messages from tobacco companies (Figure 11.14). People who understand the manipulative nature of tobacco advertisements resist them better. Analyzing advertisements can remind you about the serious consequences of tobacco use. 1. Identify that the content is an ad. Sometimes, especially on social media, it can be difficult to tell what content is sponsored. 2. Identify the product or service being sold. 3. Identify the target audience for the ad. How old are the actors? 4. Identify the advertising techniques used. What mood or feeling is portrayed? Does the ad use happy or fun, fast music? flashy graphics? modern culture references? Left to right: Mike Orlov/Shutterstock.com Soifer/Shutterstock.com Figure 11.14 Smoking and vaping advertisements are designed to make tobacco products appear cool and harmless. What about the advertisements shown makes vaping seem harmless? Analyzing Advertisements Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. 384 Unit 4 Avoiding Hazardous Substances