By RAYMOND ADEEKO

Staff Writer

Imagine if Mr. X only knew his long-time addiction to smoking would lead to lung cancer and that it would eventually be the cause of his demise. Imagine if medical researchers had linked emphysema as a long -term effect of smoking, then Mrs. Y would still be alive.

However, this has been the story for many people who have died from the dangerous effects of smoking.

According to the celebrity page on the Web Site http://www.nlm.nih.gov, in the past, smoking was seen as a habit of leisure and was made a popular trend by celebrities who indulged in the act.

Smoking was allowed and practiced everywhere until it was discovered to be a deadly trend with serious consequences. This discovery has led to the present changes in the use of tobacco.

In recent times, the "Truth" ads have been the new phenomenon in the quest for a smoke-free world.

These campaigns carry messages that warn people of the hazards of smoking to their health and the environment.

Elise Rabourn, a freshman basic and career studies major, said she likes the ads because of the recurring themes presented in them.

"I do think [the ads] are a good thing because it keeps that thought in the mind [of smokers] over and over again," Rabourn said.

Daniel Davis, a political science and history double major, said he smokes but also commends the commercials.

"I think they are good. If it makes me stop smoking, I'm all for it," Davis said.

However, these slogans would rarely have been noticed or taken seriously some 55 odd years ago.

According to the anti-smoking page on http://www.nlm.nih.gov, during the early 19th century, there was no evidence at the time that linked smoking with health issues, therefore anti-smoking activists focused mainly on portraying the deed as immoral and unhygienic.

However, the 1964 Surgeon General's report linked the effects of smoking to diseases such as lung cancer, and that started a transformation in the messaging of anti-smoking advertisements and the beginning of much legislation against promoting the act.

Among the legislation was a requirement that ordered broadcasters to run one anti-smoking ad for every three cigarette commercials. This requirement proved to be effective and eventually led to the banning of tobacco advertisements on the airwaves in 1970.

The early success of the anti-smoking crusades that saw smoking percentages decrease by 5 percent between 1967 and 1970 prompted many states to enact laws against tobacco usage, especially in public places.

Louisiana and some other states outlawed smoking in places such as hospitals, daycare centers, schools and classrooms. These regulations were aimed at preventing diseases that arose from second-hand smoking.

Russel Brasel, a graduate assistant of English, said he disagrees with the government rules of smoking in private buildings.

"Personally, I believe if they want to ban [smoking] in government buildings, then they should," Brasel said. "However, restaurants owners should be left to decide on their own without the government telling them what to do."

However, Louisiana has recently passed a bill allowing local governments in the state the ability to regulate smoking laws as well.

Other parts of the legislation increased taxes on tobacco with the belief that the price increase resulting from the taxes would discourage people from indulging in the act.

The rules also allowed the state governments to use revenue from the tax increase to fund other anti-smoking campaigns such as the "Truth" ads in the mass media.