Question
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Why did you decide to become a spokesperson for a smokefree lifestyle?
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| Christy |
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Because my life has
been greatly affected by the drug in terms of personal addiction as well as the loss of my
father.
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Question
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You have openly
shared the fact that you used to smoke when you were younger. How did you ultimately
quit for good?
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| Christy |
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I tried acupuncture,
the patch, and hypnosis but found that I needed to do it
alone—when the time was right
for me.
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Question
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Besides
long-term health issues, have you already experienced any benefits from quitting?
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| Christy |
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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.
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Question
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Was peer
pressure ever a factor in your decision to start smoking?
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| Christy |
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I was never directly
pressured by peers, but by surrounding myself with others who were experimenting with
smoking provided a certain false comfort.
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Question
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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?
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| Christy |
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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.
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Question
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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?
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| Christy |
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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.
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Question
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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?
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| Christy |
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We should all
reevaluate advertising that contradicts what we know to be the truth; especially when the
ads are harmfully manipulative.
|
Question
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What do you
think parents can do to discourage kids from smoking? Do kids even listen to their parents
anymore?
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| Christy |
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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.
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Question
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In your
opinion, what are some common misconceptions teens have about cigarettes?
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| Christy |
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That they make them
look grown-up and that they won't become addicted. That they can quit before it's
dangerous.
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Question
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What would you
say to young women who smoke to prevent weight gain?
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| Christy |
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That there are plenty
of fat smokers.
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