Tobacco heir warns elementary students about tobacco use

BRUNSWICK - In a somber speech to a group of Glynn County middle school students, the grandson of tobacco magnate R.J. Reynolds warned them that his family&#39;s business could kill them. <br> <br> Patrick Reynolds, the son of R.J. Reynolds Junior&#39;s second wife, spoke to more than 1,500 students on National Kick Butt Day yesterday. <br> <br> Reynolds said, ``Cigarettes are addicting. Once you start smoking, you can&#39;t stop.&#39;&#39; Reynolds smoked for 17 years before quitting in 1985. <br> <br> As president of the Los Angeles-based Foundation for a Smokefree America, he has spoken to more than 100,000 students since he began working against smoking in 1986. <br> <br> Three immediate members of his family died from emphysema, including his father, who died in 1964. Half brother Robert Joshua Reynolds and aunt Nancy Reynolds Verney also died. <br> <br> Students were shown pictures of the effect of smoking and Patrick Reynolds gave them instructions on how to talk family members who smoke into quitting. <br> <br> Reynolds also spoke at Needwood Middle School yesterday, and concluded his trip with sessions at Glynn Academy and McIntosh Academy Thursday.

http://accesswdun.com/article/2002/4/196493