Tobacco giant R.J. Reynolds sent a set of coasters featuring its cigarette brands and recipes for mixed drinks with high alcohol content to young adults, via direct mail, on their 21st birthdays (the legal age for alcohol consumption). The alcohol brands in the recipes included Jack Daniels, Southern Comfort, and Finlandia Vodka. The reverse side of the coaster read, “Go’ til Daybreak, and Make Sure You’re Sittin’.” The campaign, called “Drinks on Us,” clearly promoted abusive and excessive drinking. This campaign was eventually stopped because the cigarette company did not have permission to use the alcohol brands.

The Federal Drug Administration (FDA) has been given the authority to regulate tobacco, including banning certain products, limiting nicotine, and blocking labels such as “low tar” and “light” that could wrongly imply certain products are less harmful.1 The law doesn’t let the FDA ban nicotine or tobacco entirely. A committee has been formed to study several issues, including dissolvable tobacco products, product changes, and standards, and report back to the FDA.

Of particular interest is the increase in the share of smokers using menthol cigarettes from 31 percent to almost 34 percent in four years, with more pronounced increases among young smokers. It also showed that among black smokers, 82.6 percent used menthol cigarettes, compared with 32.3 percent for Hispanic smokers and 23.8 percent for white smokers.2 A ban on cigarettes with flavors such as clove, chocolate, or fruit took effect in 2009 because they are believed to appeal to youth.

After graduation, you have an offer to work in either marketing or sales at R.J. Reynolds, the tobacco company that sells many popular brands of cigarettes. The pay and benefits are very competitive. The job market is tight, and if you don’t get a job right away, you will have to live with your parents.

Should you take the job?