Deirdre Newman Cartoons often have the ability...

Deirdre Newman

Cartoons often have the ability to convey a serious message with a

lighthearted touch, and three Sage Hill High School students are

hoping their anti-smoking cartoons will help deter a new generation

of kids from getting addicted.

The three sophomores at the private Newport Beach school found out

at the beginning of the school year that their cartoons had been

selected for a countywide anti-tobacco project. The Orange County

Health Care Agency chose 10 cartoons out of 65 entries.

“It’s good for little kids because if [the cartoons] can reach

them at a young enough age, we can program them not to smoke -- it

never enters their mind,” said Rebecca Bennett, 15.

Bennett, Amy Werblin and Teresa Van Ausdeln -- all 15 -- found out

about the county project when an anti-tobacco cartoonist came to

their school last year. The students spent an hour drawing their own

versions of an anti-smoking cartoon, which were then entered into the

contest.

Rebecca’s cartoon shows the Marlboro horse crying next to a

headstone with the letters R.I.P. on it. She said her picture

represents a more realistic destination for the Marlboro Man than

shown in the commercials.

“That brand always has cowboys riding off into the sunset,”

Rebecca said.

While the three students are hoping that their cartoons will have

an effect, they understand the challenge of trying to portray a habit

that some kids consider the epitome of coolness in a negative light.

“I think they’re somewhat effective, but not too many young people

are going to look at them and say, ‘That moved me,’” Amy said.

“They’re corny. But I think they came from a good place.”

Teresa and Rebecca are also hoping their cartoons hit home with

their parents who smoke.

“My dad thought [my cartoon] was cool,” Teresa said. “He would

like to quit.”

The students’ cartoons, along with the others selected, will now

be distributed throughout the county through newsletters,

advertisements and at the Children’s Museum in Santa Ana, said

Barbara Brashear, program supervisor for the county’s tobacco youth

prevention program.

* DEIRDRE NEWMAN covers education. She may be reached at (949)

574-4221 or by e-mail at deirdre.newman@latimes.com.