VROOOOMMMMMM

17

BABY DON'T SMOKEBABY DON'T SMOKE

Plot / Script: EVERETT JAIMEArt: ELIOT R. BROWN

KALINDI PRESSPrescott, Arizona

© 2012, Everett Jaime

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without writ-ten permission from the publisher, except in the case of quotes used in critical articles and reviews.

Cover / Interior Art: Eliot R. BrownDesign Layout: Kadak Graphics, zac@kadakgraphics.com

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Jaime, Everett. Babydon’tsmoke/byEverettJaime;illustrationsbyEliotR.Brown. p. cm. ISBN 978-1-935826-20-0 (pbk. : alk. paper) 1. Teenagers--Tobacco use--Juvenile literature. 2. Smoking--Juvenile literature. 3. Smoking cessation-- Juvenile literature. 4. Teenage parents--Juvenile literature. I. Brown, Eliot R., ill. II. Title. HV5745.J35 2012 613.85--dc23 2011039896

Kalindi PressP.O. Box 1589Prescott, AZ 86302800-381-2700http://www.kalindipress.com

This book was printed in xxxxx.

To Flower and the future generations she represents.

VROOOOMMMMMM

17

1

BABY DON'T SMOKEBABY DON'T SMOKEGOODNIGHT,FLOWER--

1

2 3

she's asleep--

I'll checkon her in a

minute.

2

please, baby.don't smoke--

that's what killedyour father--

--and it's notdoing much foryour asthma--

it helps me stay thin.

you lookfine to me.

thanks, tito--

--i'm gonnawatch tv, okay?

--approximately 3,000 kids under 18 start

smoking every day in the U.S.

-Despite the risks of smaller lungs, a

weaker heart and increased illness-

--so sl eep y--

3

--a 17 year old girl has justbeen rushed to a hospital--

--destroyed herfamily home--

This just in--

--after a fire from

a cigarette--

4 5

--we are stillawaiting details

on the rest ofthe family--

In related news,

studies reveal that cigarettes are the

leading cause of fatal

fires in the U.S.

The burns are minor--

--but her heart is very weak and her lungs are tiny--

Probably born premature-- Most likely a smoker’s child.

Where am I?

4

--Just another dayat the office.

--What a life.

Can you believe how much of a smoker’s unhealthy life is spent--

--either getting treatment or

waiting in line for it--?

Where to nurse?

Take her straight through to pre-op. The surgeon is

ready for her.

Relax, you’ll be fine. Doc’ll fix you right up.

But…

This won’t hurt a bit

Let’s go in through the throat...

beepbeep

beep

5

6 7

Good! You’re awake--

papa--?

Either I’mdreaming

or…

--I thought the fresh air would do you good--

That wound should heal in no time--

You’re a lucky young lady--

6

I love this garden--

This place isfreakingme out.

I should have warned you. This place is a

bit strange. Uh…yeah--

--but it grows on you.

What’s with the tree guy?

--It’s so peacefulhere.

It’s not exactly

paradise--

7

8 9

What a drag.

Long-time smoker. Cigarette smoke

affects every part of the body--

Now he’s just dried up andincapacitated.

--He was probably a handsome,capable man.

Maria. I want to apologize. My addiction may have cost me my life--

--was asthma and a dirty habit…

Dad. I don’tblame you--

--I blame myself. You had

no choice and I didn’t know

better.

Maria, I’m through wasting time. If anything was to separate us again, I want you to know…

Dad…

I know Papa--Me too--

Come on. You must be

starving.

--But it cost youa father and your dear

mother a husband.

If I’d only realized that the

only gift I was leaving you--

8

The food’snot bad--

--but stay away fromthe drinks.

I'll BeRight back...

sniff!

9

what'sthat

horrible smell?

10 11

Would you liketo start with

a drink?

--I was just waitingfor someone.

Are yousure?

--Helps you stay thin...

Come again soon!

I um… no thanks--

10

!--?

aaaa

aaaa

hhhh

h Craving oneof these?

11

12 13

I’m Carmen-- Thank you! I oweyou one-- Myname’s Maria.

Let’s getout ofhere!

There you are--

Pa, this is Carmen--

Hello! --Go where?

now... I’mnot permittedto leave thehospital...

I cantake her.

He just needed his fix--!

ka-f

loo o

sshh

HI-- You’ve been released!

Get this signed at the outpatient clinic-- and you’re free to go--

12

I’m really glad wehad this time--

Me too.

Go

Hey, that’s my friend Damon and his crazydog ‘Fiend’--

Who? Damonor the dog?

S'up--? This is Maria.

Hi.You guys

shoulddrop by

my placelater--

--He’s socute!

13

14 15

--Luis and Maya aregoing to be there--

oof!

There must be better ways of spending the hundreds of dollars I waste on this fool dog.

I gotta run--urk!Who’s themaster?

Damon’ssweet. Butthat dog isa nuisance.

This placeis weird--!

Can you bring some smokes for Fiend? He loves the stuff and I’m all out--

--All out of cash too!

14

No way!Excuse me,

ma'am?Your baby…is smoking!

Baby! DON’T

SMOKE!

If I’ve told him once, I’ve

told him athousand

times!

Baby!Don’t smoke!

Can we stop? I’m out of breath--

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16 17

I only started smoking 'cause it seemed likea cool thing to do--

--But nowI can’t drop it.

I know whatyou mean--

--in infantsand childreneach year? That’s

disgusting.

Second hand smoke kills about 3,000 nonsmokers

a year from lung cancer--

Depressing.

I’ve gotta getout of here.

What? Quit thisplace? How?

--Together!

i want to quitfor the baby...

…did you know that second hand smoke causes up to 300,000 lung infections--

I don’t want that to be my

baby.

16

SCREEEECH

SCREEEECH

Stop it! You’re

hurting my arm!

Where are you taking us!!?

I’ll bring them in straight away--

hey! what doyou think yo--

VROOOOMMMMM M

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18 19

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Thank you Mason. You may go--

Don’t be frightened girls. Please, sit down.

19

DING!

20 21

--You can callme Doris.

Can I get youanything?

Cigarette?

No thanks. I’ve lost the urge

Umm--I’m trying to

quit.

20

Salt in mywound--

We give you what you wantand you turn up your nose.

--and how that’s180 times morethan the number

of peoplekilled on 9/11--

“That’s just a fraction of the

millionskilled

worldwide,"they say--

Boo hoo!

The public whinesabout the 500,000

Americans killedevery year--

21

22 23

--And we make millions of dollars for investors--

--And yourselves!

--And still, despite all the money we pay out, do-good parents and organizations try to stop us.

Poor you----We gave slaves jobs on our

plantations--created jobs for our factory workers and advertisers-- cancer and asthma increase birthdefects and infant mortality--that

makes work for doctors and nurses--

--And we give people apre-packaged, cool,

rebellious identity when they can’t create one for

themselves.

We’re providing a service!

That doesn’tsound good.

This is business. Everything has a

price--

Listen here, princess! This

industry is part of history--

22

Good?It gets better--

1.1 billion people smoke cigarettes-- And that number is growing...

You must be very proud!

I’m not proud--I’m rich--

That’s a lot of caskets and tombstones being sold--

11,000 people die every dayworldwide because of

smoking!

HAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

23

24 25

--Just a little lung butter!

But you must agree. We’re not the onlykillers. So why is everybody always picking on us?

Because you’re the biggest!

--drug abuse, AIDS, car crashes,homicide and suicide

combined...

...But wedon’t make

people smoke.

Can we go now?

Please don’t go! You are the future. If your generation quit, we’ll be destroyed. --Lovely,

young parent smokers!

Your children are my

children!

--If they

live long

enough--

Ok, so in the US every year we kill twice as

many people as alcohol--

Pretty pregnant girls with

customersin the oven--

24

HA ACKHAK-H AK

HAK HAKUH

HAKHAKHAK

HAK HARG-KUH HAK

KOFF-KOF HAKHAK HAK

HAK HAKKEF KEF--

KOF HEK

We’re like onebig family--!

--But if you quit, everything that is great about this place

will disappear forever!

This place SUCKS!

Why you… insolent…

gasp--

25

SSSSSSSSS

CRACKLE--CRACKLE

26 27

How...dare...you...

aahhh!!

oh-aah!

26

SPL

AS

H

ssssssssssss

K

A-SPLAAAASH!

You could have burned the house down--And you’ve

got a baby upstairs!

Don’t worry… it won’t

happen again--

I’m--i'm sorrymama--

That’s it! No more smoking under my

roof!

--I promise!

maria--?

27

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TOBACCO FACTOIDSThis information was collected from and is readily available via the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the

World Health Organization.

SMOKING KILLSSmoking-related illnesses claim more american lives than alcohol, car •accidents, suicide, aids, homicide and illegal drugs combined.Tobacco kills nearly 6 Million people each year. •Tobacco caused 100 Million deaths in the 20th century.•Every day 1,200 americans die from smoking-related illnesses. •Smoking is the single most preventable cause of premature death in the •United States.CigarettesaretheleadingcauseoffatalfiresintheU.S.•

The tobacco epidemic is one of the biggest public health threats the •world has ever faced.

Up to half of current users will eventually die of a tobacco-related •disease.

Unchecked, tobacco-related deaths will increase to more than eight •million per year by 2030. More than 80 percent of those deaths will be in low- and middle-income countries.

OTHER HEALTH RISKSCigarette smoking causes heart disease, stroke, chronic lung disease, •and cancers of the lung, mouth, pharynx, esophagus, and bladder.

Use of smokeless tobacco causes cancers of the mouth, pharynx and •esophagus;gumrecession;andanincreasedriskforheartdiseaseandstroke.

Quitting smoking is the best gift I can give myself and my baby.If I don’t smoke…

Tito-- No more cigarettes. I’m serious this time!

With the support of you, mama and the

doctors--

one day at a time… mwah!

I can do it. I’ve got to do it.

28

plot/scripteverett jaime

arteliot r. brown

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PROMOTION OF TOBACCOCigarette companies spent more than $15.2 Billion in 2003 to promote •their products.Children and teenagers constitute the majority of all new smokers, and •theindustry’sadvertisingandpromotioncampaignsoftenhavespecialappeal to these young people.

Eighty-three percent of young smokers (aged 12-17) choose the three •most heavily advertised brands.Each day in the united states, approximately 4,000 adolescents aged •12-17trytheirfirstcigarette.

SMOKING AND PREGNANCYThose most affected by secondhand smoke are children. Because their •bodies are still developing, exposure to the poisons in secondhand smoke puts children in danger of severe respiratory diseases and may hinder the growth of their lungs.Smoking during pregnancy increases infant morbidity and mortality •through effects on birth weight and preterm birth.Smoking during pregnancy affects mothers and infants by increasing •the risk of neonatal mortality, stillbirth, preterm delivery, decreased birth weight, and sudden infant death syndrome (sids). Smoking is also a major risk factor for gum disease, which is associated with preterm low birth weight, and maternal smoking after pregnancy increases the infant’sriskofrespiratoryillnessandsids.Since 1990 teenagers and young adults have had the highest rates of •maternal smoking during pregnancy. In 2005, 16.6 percent of female teens aged 15-19 and 18.6 percent of women aged 20-24 smoked during pregnancy.If current tobacco use patterns persist, an estimated 6.4 Million •children will die prematurely from a smoking-related disease.

TEEN SMOKING It is estimated that approximately 4.5 Million adolescents in the united •states are smokers. Every day approximately 4,000 young people (aged 12-17) smoke their •firstcigarette,andanestimated1,300ofthemwillbecomeregularsmokers. Half of them will ultimately die from their habit. Teensmokersgetsickmoreoftenthanteenswhodon’tsmoke.•Teen smokers have smaller lungs and weaker hearts than teens who •don’tsmoke.

FACTS ABOUT SECONDHAND SMOKE Secondhand smoke kills about 3,000 nonsmokers each year from lung •cancer. Secondhand smoke causes 30 times as many lung cancer deaths as all •regulated pollutants combined. Secondhand smoke causes up to 300,000 lung infections (such as •pneumonia and bronchitis) in infants and young children each year. Secondhand smoke causes wheezing, coughing, colds, earaches, and •asthma attacks. Secondhandsmokefillstheairwithmanyofthesamepoisonsfoundin•the air around toxic waste dumps.There is no risk-free level of secondhand smoke exposure. Even brief •exposure can be dangerous.

WHAT’S IN A CIGARETTE?There are over 4000 chemicals in cigarette smoke, and more than 40 of them are known carcinogens. These include:

Acetone• – nail polish removerAmmonia• – toilet cleanerArsenic• – rat poisonBenzene• – used in manufacturing gasolineCarbon Monoxide• – car exhaustD• DT – insect killerFormaldehyde• – preservative for dead bodiesHydrogen Cyanide• – gas chamber poisonMethanol• – rocket fuel Tar• – used to pave streetsTitanium• – metal used to make airplanes

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5. HOW MANY PEOPLE DIE EVERY DAY IN THE USA FROM TOBACCO? A. 14 B. 56 C. 470 D. 1,200

6. NON-SMOKERS ARE AFFECTED BY SECOND HAND SMOKE. A. True B. False

7. SMOKING-RELATED ILLNESSES CLAIM MORE AMERICAN LIVES THAN ALCOHOL, CAR ACCIDENTS, SUICIDE, AIDS, HOMICIDE AND ILLEGAL DRUGS COMBINED.

A. True B. False

8. CIGARETTE COMPANIES SPEND HOW MUCH PROMOTING THEIR PRODUCTS?

A. Hundreds B. Thousands C. Billions D.Cigarettecompaniesdon’tpromotetheirproducts.

9. INDUSTRY’S ADVERTISING AND PROMOTION CAMPAIGNS OFTEN HAVE SPECIAL APPEAL TO YOUNG PEOPLE.

A. TRUE B. FALSE

10. WHICH PERCENTAGE OF YOUNG SMOKERS (12-17) CHOOSE THE TOP THREE MOST HEAVILY ADVERTISED BRANDS?

A. 3% B. 13% C. 83% D. None of the above

Q&A – TEST YOUR NEW FOUND KNOWLEDGE WITH THIS SHORT QUIZ.

1. WHICH OF THESE IS A RISK FOR BABIES WHOSE MOTHERS SMOKE DURING PREGNANCY?

A. Cancer B. Asthma C. Sudden infant death syndrome D. All of the above

2. WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING CHEMICALS IS NOT CONTAINED IN A MANUFACTURED CIGARETTE?

A. Arsenic – rat poison B. Formaldehyde – preservative for dead bodies C. Tar – used to pave streets D. Ddt – insect killer E. Vitamin c

3. WHAT IS THE LEADING CAUSE OF FATAL FIRES IN THE USA? A. Lightning B. Cooking explosions C. Cigarettes D. Welding equipment

4. HOW MANY PEOPLE DIE EACH YEAR FROM TOBACCO? A. 153 B. 4,600 C. 300,000 D. 6 Million

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TOBACCO INFORMATION WEBSITES

HTTP://WWW.TOBACCOFREEKIDS.ORG

HTTP://WWW.TOBACCOFREE.ORG

HTTP://WWW.TEENHEALTHCONNECTION.ORG

HTTP://WWW.CDC.GOV/HEALTHYYOUTH

HTTP://WWW.TOBACCO.ORG

HTTP://WWW.KIDSHEALTH.ORG

HTTP://WWW.WHO.INT/TOPICS/TOBACCO/EN

QUIT SMOKING WEBSITES

HTTP://WWW.NOTONTOBACCO.COM

HTTP://WOMEN.SMOKEFREE.GOV

HTTP://WWW.SMOKEFREE.GOV

HTTP://WWW.CANCER.ORG/HEALTHY/STAYAWAYFROMTOBACCO/GUIDETOQUITTINGSMOKING/INDEX

HTTP://WWW.BECOMEANEX.ORG

HTTP://WWW.LUNGUSA.ORG/STOP-SMOKING

HTTP://WWW.FFSONLINE.ORG

HTTP://WWW.QUITTERINYOU.ORG

Q&A ANSWERS

1. D 2. E3. C4. D5. D6. A7. A8. C9. A10. C

DISCUSSION TOPICS

1. Who is responsible for the current smoking epidemic? Is it the government, parents, educators, tobacco companies or individuals?

2.Answeringashonestlyaspossible,forthosewho’vetriedtobacco,wasthefirsttimeatrulyenjoyableexperience?

3. What compels people to continue using tobacco before they become addicted?

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AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY

Everett Jaime is a Mexican-American writer, musician, painter andentrepreneur.Hewrotehisfirstmanuscriptatage8andincollege created booklets from his drawings and random musings using an old photocopier.

“Ihavealwaysbeenfascinatedbythe‘cultureofcool’surrounding cigarettes. But somehow the allure of seeing my heroes such as Clint Eastwood smoking a stogie was defeated by the terrifying experience of meeting a shriveled old grey woman inasupermarketpuffingonacigarettestuckthroughaholeinher throat. For my grade school science project I built a set of lungs from a glass jug and three balloons. Inside the lungs were placed two cotton buds which were quickly turned black after being forced to inhale cigarette smoke through a hole in thebottle’sneck.Theysayapictureisworthathousandwords.Thoseimagesstickinmymind.It’smyhopethatreaderswon’tneed more than the pictures contained in these pages to make a decision for themselves about the dangers of tobacco.”

He currently lives in London with his wife Jennifer, 11 dress shirts and a growing collection of pens that never work.

ARTIST BIOGRAPHY

Eliot R. Brown is a comic professional who has worked extensively for Marvel and DC Comics, and is particularly known for his illustrations and writing in TheOfficialHandbookoftheMarvel Universe, The Punisher Armory and The Iron Manual (and The New Iron Manual). BabyDon’tSmokeishisfirstillustrativestorytelling comic work.

Brown believes that comics can not only entertain, but can tell any story and help make real changes in the world. He lives in upstate New York with his wife Arlene and son Nicholas, as well as a backyard menagerie of wild animals, all named Peanuts. Brown is also the proprietor of a hobby-oriented vacuum forming table company and an electronics company devoted to modeling.