Kickin' Butts: How to Put Out Your Last Cigarette

Most anti-smoking videos are designed to prevent kids from actually starting, but what about adults who are already addicted and want to quit? This well-produced documentary provides practical steps for successfully kicking the habit, as it follows Donna, a successful career woman and mother, who has been a smoker for 15 years. In her attempt to stop smoking "cold turkey," day one finds her spacey, confused, and nervous. Day two, she experiences mood swings that range from happy laughter to telling the cameraman she's going to kick his butt. By day three, thanks to extremely understanding and supportive co-workers and family members, she's coping much better. Kickin' Butts is fairly comprehensive both in its subject coverage (such as the use of nicotine patches and hooking up with support groups) and in its commentary from professionals. The only caveat: the makers of this video clearly believe that "Big Tobacco" is a genuine conspiracy (think dark pictures of the Capitol Dome with grim music) out to undermine the health of Americans, and--shades of The Insider--we're shown the now infamous clips of the 1994 Congressional hearings in which manufacturers assert that smoking does not equal death or addiction. While it may be true that the marketing of tobacco has been less than straightforward, I'm not sure I'd agree that the evil intent of tobacco companies is on the level of mafia dealings as this video outrightly asserts, or that Americans are 'innocently' turned into smokers. Also worth noting is the all-white focus (the term "average American" is used several times in conjunction with nice suburbs and Caucasian faces) that may limit audience identification. Otherwise, this fine, practical production is strongly recommended. Aud: H, C, P. (E. Gieschen)