Movies/Advertisements

Recently I went to see Adventureland. It was a good flick, you should check it out. I did however something happened before the flick that I felt the need to wax about. About 10 years ago they began to show advertisements before the previews began. I remember my father and I talking about how ludicrous and annoying that this new trend was. Now, we have become desensitized to it, it is just the way it is I guess. I'll choose my battles elsewhere. I figured it was just another way of "the man" getting another buck. It's crazy because I already paid for the movie and even so I am still advertised to. Ehh whatever. My recent jaunt to the theater really pushed it into overdrive. I get to the theater early to be sure that I was able to see the trailers. The trailers went well which leads into the normal "no cell phone, no smoking, enjoy the movie" montage. This is where the story turns askew. Normally after all the trailers and the montage then the movie starts, it's just the way it is done, until now. After all that an well-known actor who's name escapes me at the moment. The whole ad was an anti-smoking campaign. The actor engaged in "funny" acts of smoking that attempt to lessen the appeal of cigarettes. The end of the ad is the traditional "Don't Smoke" boring slogan. I was with my friend Suzanne who smokes, and I felt a little bad for her. I should say that I don't smoke and think it's really gross but I have sympathy for the smoker. People can't even go to the movies without being hit with the anti-smoking campaign. I mean she paid for the movie like anyone else, that should entitle her to a couple hours without harassment. I just feel bad for smokers, as far as the anti-smoking tirades in this country. People who smoke realize the harmful effects it has and are fully aware of their ability to quit. In the end it is up to them, their own choice. You can't make someone quit smoking, it is something they must do for themselves. Watching an ad with someone telling me to stop smoking isn't going to do a goddamn thing, expect piss me off. I don't think it is fair how smokers are treated in this country. Sure it is a nasty habit, but it is a free country. It seems to be completely acceptable to single people out with a anti-cigarette ad. Why is this so? Why aren't there ads for not eating junk/fast food, aren't those also detrimental to one's health? It is socially ok to bring up someone's smoking habit but quite taboo to mention their weight. It just seems like a double standard. Point it people should be able to go to the movies free on anti-smoking lectures. Especially right before the movie starts!