| Question |
 |
Why did you decide to become a
spokesperson for a smokefree lifestyle? |
| Christy |
|
Because
my life has been greatly affected by the drug in terms of personal
addiction as well as the loss of my father.
|
| Question |
|
You have openly shared the fact
that you used to smoke when you were younger. How did you
ultimately quit for good? |
| Christy |
|
I tried
acupuncture, the patch, and hypnosis but found that I needed to do
it alone---when the time was right for me.
|
| Question |
|
Besides long-term health
issues, have you already experienced any benefits from
quitting? |
| Christy |
|
I feel
much more clear-minded. There isn't any fogginess when I wake up.
Nicotine is both a stimulant and a depressant, so that can make one
feel quite imbalanced.
|
| Question |
|
Was peer pressure ever a factor
in your decision to start smoking? |
| Christy |
|
I was
never directly pressured by peers, but by surrounding myself with
others who were experimenting with smoking provided a certain false
comfort.
|
| Question |
|
In your line of work, there are
many models who continue to smoke, even though they know the health
consequences. Have you ever tried to influence some of your peers to
quit? |
| Christy |
|
I won't
take responsibility for anyone else's quitting, but I would be very
proud to have influenced anyone that I know or don't know to
quit.
|
| Question |
|
Do you believe that kids are
influenced to smoke by what they see in movies and/or music videos?
If so, what do you think the entertainment industry could do to
denormalize tobacco use without sacrificing artistic freedom?
|
| Christy |
|
I think
that by being myself is the best example I can be with my friends
and colleagues. Everyone knows the health consequences at this
point. What people fail to acknowledge is their addiction---people
think they can stop at any time, that it's easy---it's not. I know
that kids are influenced by what they see in movies, videos, and TV
because I've seen and heard testimonials stating such.
I don't think that artists of
any kind would or could sacrifice their artistic freedom by being
more responsible with their influence on people (especially young
people). In fact, it may even make them a little more creative with
their acting choices for example. Unless it is imperative, which is
improbable, it shouldn't be done. It's careless
behavior.
|
| Question |
|
Tobacco companies often portray
cigarette smoking as glamorous...they are even getting into the
music business to help promote certain brands of cigarettes. How can
teens, especially young women, become more savvy about the messages
that promote smoking as fun, sexy, and
desirable? |
| Christy |
|
We
should all reevaluate advertising that contradicts what we know to
be the truth; especially when the ads are harmfully manipulative.
|
| Question |
|
What do you think parents can
do to discourage kids from smoking? Do kids even listen to their
parents anymore? |
| Christy |
|
Parents
should not smoke in order to discourage their kids from smoking. A
child is more likely to smoke when they have been raised in the
environment of a smoker. Parents should be the most important
examples for their children.
|
| Question |
|
In your opinion, what are some
common misconceptions teens have about
cigarettes? |
| Christy |
|
That
they make them look grown-up and that they won't become addicted.
That they can quit before it's dangerous.
|
| Question |
|
What would you say to young
women who smoke to prevent weight gain? |
| Christy |
|
That
there are plenty of fat
smokers.
|
