Friday, July 15, 2011

Sample Essay - Topic: Final Thoughts on Argument

“Should Cigarette Companies Promote their Products to the Youth?”

Cigarette smoking has always been a subject of debate for many people all over the world. It has stimulated the mind in many ways especially the issue of whether cigarette companies promote their products to the youth. Smokers and non-smokers alike will suffer the consequences of decisions and attitudes of people revolving around this issue. Many health related issues will arise not acutely at first but will manifest at a later date. Does the delay of the appearance of health problems justify their actions? What will be the risks after 10 years when youth starts smoking before 18 years of age? One could claim that marketing cigarette products to the youth is simply too much to handle.

First let us examine what prompted cigarette companies to come up with this decision. “Younger adults are the only source of replacement smokers” (RJ Reynolds). This means to say that as people age – while smoking – signs and consequences of this decision will begin to show. As a result, they wouldn’t be as enthusiastic as they were when they started smoking. This is what many cigarette companies try to avoid. If they want to keep their business thriving and prospering, they need younger adults which will require brand new form of marketing.

True – from the industry’s point of view, this may just be the right thing to do. After all, they just mean business and this is nothing personal for them. Without overanalyzing and putting things under simple perspective, cigarette companies are just doing what they need to do to keep up with the current market.

But nothing justifies the consequences that will happen in the future. On the surface, this may be an acceptable proposition for many cigarette companies though on second thought they are just taking advantage of our youth – the hope of the future.

Why do teens smoke? "Kids are vulnerable to smoking because the transition to adulthood is fraught with stress, insecurity, and the need to be accepted by peers. If kids see smokers who they think are cool or look grown-up, they may strive for that image, too” (Lang and Marks). Judging from this, kids are innocent victims of the adult driven world. Cigarette companies know this vulnerability and weakness and this is the reason why they target this specific market. They know they can earn money from them more than they can from adults who know what they are doing and have other priorities in life already.

However, kids don’t realize they are vulnerable and weak. They often have these overly positive views about themselves. They often think they are invincible. But more than that, they are curious beings. Some kids start smoking not because they have weaker resolve about what’s right or wrong. They start because they are curious what it is like to have a taste of the smoke they often see. Before they realize it, they have already been hooked.

Many cigarette companies are only being practical and realistic and this is the same point of argument that they already lost. Selling something to the market only for financial profit and uncaring about the risks and other major consequences that smoking will result to is bad enough. But marketing it to the youth – taking advantage of their weakness and the largest naïve group in the world – is simply unacceptable.

“Among the 419,000 Americans who died from smoking in 1990, for example, 151,000 died of cancer” (National Cancer Policy Board). If this is the statistics 21 years ago, what then will the numbers be 21 years from now if cigarette smoking is promoted further to the youth? It is time for this industry to stop causing menace to the population’s health. It is simply not the case today anymore. What if the younger adults who started smoking today will no longer produce enough number of offspring in the future? Who then will they market their products for if the dangers of smoking manifest at a later date and affect reproduction?

It is therefore not right for manufacturing companies to promote their products to the younger population for whatever reason they can think of. Reduction, prevention and cessation of cigarette smoking can lead to better health, lifestyle and perhaps better economy in the near future. Manufacturing companies should then find some other means for them to do business without risking the health of many. Surely, they can find other business endeavor that will bring them monetary gain, prestige and success. It would mean that the world will become a better place to live in without smoke, without pollution and at least eradicating one risk factor for diseases.


Works Cited

RJ Reynolds. “The Importance of Young Adults.” 1998. Digital File.

“Taking Action to Reduce Tobacco Use.” 1998. Digital File

Lang, Susan and Beth Marks. “Teens and tobacco: a fatal attraction.” 1996. Digital File.

Friday, June 24, 2011

Note: 7 Articles Posted on June 24, 2011

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I wrote these articles as "hired" freelancer...yet I was not paid.. I retain full ownership of the articles.

Thank you.

6 Ways to Find the Right Masonry Company in Suffolk County

You will eventually need to hire the services of Suffolk County Masonry Company if your home has been made from brick, stucco, concrete or stone. This is to make sure that the repairs and renovations are adequately taken care of. Suffolk County is a relatively rural area though it still has plenty of choices when you are in need of masonry contractors.

A lot of homeowners make the mistake of choosing Suffolk County masons basing on their lowest bid for the project. Before you decide which company to hire, you need to check out the contractors and short list the candidates. After all, you are going to entrust one of your most important possessions, which is your home.

So, where will you begin your search? Here are six simple ways for you to find the right masonry company in Suffolk County –

1. Research

Educating yourself will help you make a list of requirements for your project. Online forums on topics such as renovations and repair will be good places to start. By showing the contractor your knowledge about the project, you eliminate the risk that they will underestimate you and possibly get you to play their game.

2. Referrals

There is a wealth of information waiting to be discovered around you such as friends and family who have done the same project like yours. This is helpful in narrowing down your search.

3. Reputation

The Better Business Bureau is the best place to check about the reputation of the company you are considering. You could also consult supply stores for their recommendation or review.

4. Certification

Check whether the company has been accredited by the MCAA or Mason Contractors Association of America. This proves that they have completed their classes, exam and continuing education.

5. Visit

Once you have shortlisted the candidates, make them come to the job site. Evaluate their reactions, their recommendations and their abilities to assess the project.

6. Quotes

If the contractor gave you a good impression, you can ask for a free quote on the overall cost of the project. Obtain at least three quotes from different contractors to compare. Be objective when you make your comparisons to get the best deal.

Only hire the certified, skilled and experienced masonry contractor in Suffolk County. Best of all, hire the one you can trust or be comfortable with especially the one that can give you peace of mind.

Health Benefits of Resveratrol

Newspapers, magazines and bottles of fish oil sold off from the shelves. It was sensational when the word came out that it was good for the heart. Suddenly, all the products with omega 3 went missing. However, doing a little research will show you that the benefits of resveratrol for health are well worth your time. There was research conducted proving that resveratrol is contained in red wine.

Today, we see various Resveratrol supplements & products when the benefits seem to be promising when it comes to lowering bad cholesterol. It is then good for the heart. Although the study has been done on laboratory mice, the results leaked out and major corporations jumped into the idea that red wine can indeed reduce cholesterol.

What are the benefits of resveratrol?

1. Antioxidant benefits

We get to encounter the term “antioxidant” almost every day as we search for things that will help us achieve health. Resveratrol has been purported to contain antioxidants, which neutralize the effects of free radicals in the body. These free radicals are extremely toxic and harmful once they bind with the cells in the body. Once antioxidants bind with the free radicals, the effects are neutralized, and they are released from the body as toxins.

2. Reduce cholesterol

Resveratrol comes from red wine ferments of grape skins left for a long period of time. It is said that it prevents blood vessel plaque from forming thus avoiding clogging of the arteries. Clogging in arteries and veins can cause heart attacks. The medical society doesn’t want to announce the benefits of resveratrol and red wine. However, it is because some individuals are still inclined to drink alcohol too far.

With moderation, red wine and the benefits of resveratrol supplements & products can lead you to a productive, long and healthy life.

There are two kinds of cholesterol namely – good (HDL or high density lipoprotein) and bad (LDL or low density lipoprotein). Resveratrol has been found to lower the bad cholesterol concentration in the blood as previously mentioned.

3. Prevent clotting

It is also said that one of the health benefits that resveratrol provides is prevention of clots from forming in arteries and veins thus avoiding the formation of thromboembolism, which will result to the stroke or cardiovascular accident.

In addition to the health benefits, many people find resveratrol helpful for aesthetic purposes because it claims to slow down the process of aging.

Finding the Right Power Washing Company

Finding the right Long Island power washing company is simple. However, it would be a good idea to educate yourself before you make your decision. After all, you are going to entrust your largest and most valuable investments to the contractor you are going to hire. You can follow some basic principles to find quality-focused professionals in the field of power washing.

Long Island is an island located Southeast of New York. It consists of four counties namely – Queens, Brooklyn, Nassau and Suffolk. There are times when Long Island only refers to Nassau and Suffolk even though all four counties are part of the metropolitan area of New York. If you are looking specifically for Suffolk County power washing company, you will still find contracting companies that provide top quality services.

Below are some tips to find the right company –

•Make sure you understand the risks associated with power washing. If you are equipped with knowledge, it will help you minimize the risks. You should be able to list down questions that will assist in weeding out contractors and narrow down the list of candidates. As a result, you only have to choose among quality companies.

•Make sure the contractor will visit the site before providing a quote or estimate on the cost for their services. You can use this as a way to evaluate the contractor basing on how he calculates the cost and how he assesses the job site. In addition to the cost, the contractor should provide you the success rate of the project.

•Obtain more than one estimate or quote from different power washing companies. Getting more than one evaluation or estimate allows you to compare each of them. If you want to find the best deal among your choices, you need to invest both money and time into the project. With different opinions, you get specific information about the scope, processes and risks of the project.

•Make sure their equipment is up to date and at par with the current technological evolution.

•Obtain at least three verifiable references to make sure that the company has done similar type of project prior to yours.

•Make sure the company has insurance coverage. The General Liability Coverage is a good policy so that you know your property is protected in case of accidents.

Once you have chosen the right company to handle your project, it is important that you keep an eye on the project. If you are on the job site, it helps you evaluate the contractors properly without getting on his way.

Services of Commercial Cleaning and How to Choose a Company

Commercial cleaning in Long Island has long been one of the industries in the island. Most companies provide a wide array of services, which are basically janitorial tasks. It includes disposing trash, sweeping, vacuuming, mopping, dusting and overall maintenance of an establishment or building. Long Island office cleaning performs multiple tasks included in the scope of duties depending on your business requirements.

Your requirements depend entirely on whether you are operating a small company or a much larger business. Of course, bigger businesses often require Long Island commercial cleaning services more than businesses that operate on a minor scale. You might want to hire a good office cleaning company to make sure your establishment will always have its professional and polished appearance.

In addition to the basic services, there are also some cleaning companies that provide specialized services such as those that provide cleaning service to the health care industry.

How to choose a good cleaning company in Long Island?

There are various cleaning companies available in Long Island both big and small. They are all competing for loyal clientele, and it leaves you no choice but to stay informed. If you wish to know how you can choose among them, you need to know whether they have the right training, experience and cost, which meet your preferences and requirements.

Hence, the first thing that you should be looking at before you make your decision is what your company needs. What type of cleaning do you need and how often will you need it? Do you require any special equipment or services?

You should also be practical in your choice. We all want our establishments or offices to be spic and span clean but will it cost you more than what you can spend on it?

Time is also of the essence when hiring a cleaning company. How soon do you want the company to start? Some companies would start right after the contract agreement has been signed by both parties while others will only depend on the schedule you have set for them.

To get better deals, compare all shortlisted companies. You can meet them up or ask them for their quotes. Ideally, visit their facilities and see what they can offer you and your business. When they submit their quotes, make sure that they include the details of what they will do and what it will cost you.

Finally, make sure that the company has the reputation to back them up. Ask for 3-4 verifiable references that you can check to ensure they are who they claim to be.

Questions to Ask When Hiring Masons

We all dream to build our dream home in a perfect place in Long Island. Some of us want to have wood cabins while others tend to prefer other materials for siding and finishes. There are different materials to choose from when building our dream home. It gives us the chance to build our home in a design that we enjoy and want to live in for the rest of our life.

However, if you like your home to be made from bricks just like most houses found in Western Europe, you have to hire Long Island Masonry Company for this project. These craftsmen are skilled in building materials like mortar, stone, tile, blocks and bricks. Only a few home builders are familiar with handling building materials mentioned.

When hiring Long Island masons, the following questions would come in handy in the hiring process –

•Is your company accredited by the Better Business Bureau or BBB? The masonry company that you are going to hire should have a connection with the BBB. This way, you are sure that their business is really what they claim to be. You can call the Better Business Bureau to see whether the contractors have good standing, know about any issues with customers they have in the past to check whether those issues have been resolved.

•Is your masonry business established and for how long? There are many businesses that have just been recently registered in the BBB. These businesses may have been operating for many years and have established loyal clientele in the neighborhood. Alternatively, the individuals operating the business have been in the masonry industry for a long time and just recently decided to put up their own business.

•Are you going to give me verifiable references? Unless you are willing to try out a newly established company, most masonry contractors should give you at least 3 recently completed work they have done. Ensure that these references are dated in the last several months and should contain contact information with reviews from customers. Confirm the information with the homeowners stated on the reference.

•How much will it cost me? To ensure that you get a better deal, make sure you shop around and obtain at least 3 different cost estimates.

•When are they available to start? Availability is one of the most important aspects when you want your home to be finished at a certain time.

Hiring masons in Long Island is the same as shopping around for materials you want to use. It requires time, dedication and patience to interview various companies.