PEOPLE

The Southeast Missourian asked students at L.J. Schultz Middle School what they thought about Old Joe, the cartoon camel which is used as a logo for a tobacco company. According to recent accusations by the American Medical Association and the U.S. Surgeon General, Old Joe is used to persuade children to start smoking.

Felicia Stinnett: "They want the kids to start smoking too. They have him advertised on displays at gas stations. Kids think that if Joe can do it, then they can do it too. Kids know that cartoon characters don't get hurt, but if Joe was real he could get lung cancer and die."

Kyle Todt: "I think kids are influenced a little by Old Joe because they see him as a smooth character. My dad gets hunting magazines, and Old Joe is on the back of those. I think they should not get rid of him, but tone it down some so he's in the background."

Natalie Moon: "I don't think Old Joe has anything to do with why kids are smoking. People smoke anyway. Maybe they just chose that particular brand. It's just a logo. Even if they might drop it, people will still smoke it if they are used to it."

Tommy Egson: "I think they should not use Old Joe because kids see it and think it's cool to smoke. Smoking is hazardous to everybody's health. You see displays with Old Joe in stores and quick shops. I don't want to be like him because smoking is stupid."

Shantel Cline: "I think it's stupid to try to get the tobacco company to stop using Old Joe. Kids get influenced by their friends, not by cartoons. I don't think people should smoke, but kids don't do everything they see cartoon characters do."

Anthony Withers: "I think children could see Old Joe and want to be like him, so they might try smoking. I don't want to be like him and have lung problems. I see him on billboards and in magazines. Children look at magazines that their parents get. I do because I like to read."