Smokers vs. Alcoholics

          The first photo (top) features a package of Marlboro cigarettes and a Juul pod: the “smokers.” The second photo (bottom) shows a shot glass of tequila and a slice of lime: the “alcoholics.” The teams are competing against each other. These photos can be interpreted as the competition between tobacco and alcohol sales in today's society. The market specifically targets young adults either entering or graduating college. In an economy where there are no restrictions prohibiting the advertisement of either substance to the public, it is expected that sales will skyrocket. Both are notoriously addictive and cause problems later on in life, such as liver disease, cancer, and in some cases, even death. Regardless of the warnings, college kids partake in leisurely activities that include these potentially hazardous substances. Cigarette smoking has been prevalent for years, but doctors have only recently understood the effects of tobacco smoking. When college kids drink to excess, they tend to crave the buzz achieved only from nicotine. This results in consistent chain smoking. With the rise of “vaping,” smoking products such as the Juul have taken the market by storm. The Juul is marketed as an “alternative for adult smokers.” The pods themselves contain the same nicotine as a pack of regular cigarettes—without the harsh tobacco. It’s seen as a safer way to achieve a buzz from nicotine, but there is little research to support this claim. Regardless of their “hand in hand” nature, tobacco and alcohol sales still actively compete with each other. Both substances take on an addictive quality when consumed in mass quantities, making it all the more dangerous for college students. Drinking offers an “escape from reality” if too much alcohol is ingested, whereas smoking cigarettes offers a temporary buzz that is often compared to a head high. Smoking socially won’t kill you and enjoying a drink with friends after work won’t give you alcohol poisoning; however, if done too frequently, both can result in an addiction so consuming that you only wish you could quit.