Every once in a while I come across a doll who has been styled with smoke issuing from her mouth, or a cigarette dangling from her lips or fingers. This makes me sad, because I am worried that the person who owns this doll has allowed herself to be influenced by the tobacco industry. She must think that smoking makes her doll look cool.

For decades this has been the message of tobacco advertising. The movie industry has been part of it too. Movie stars found ways to do what I call "cigarette acting," blowing smoke or lighting cigarettes in a way that seemed sophisticated and sensual. These are powerful images that influence young people.

However, there is nothing in real life that is sensual about smoking. Stale smoke smells awful. Habitual smokers get stained fingers and teeth. Serious health problems are caused by smoking.

My mother was a chain smoker, and my entire childhood was spent in a otherwise clean house that reeked of smoke. It was always in my hair and on my clothes. It took becoming an adult and moving out on my own to be free of smoke on a daily basis.

Smoking is not allowed at Stardoll. It is stated in the rules that it is forbidden to use Stardesign to create cigarettes. Selling them in the Bazaar can cause a member a lot of problems, because each item will be reported and warnings will be added to the account of the designer.

There are many acceptable ways to make your doll look cool on Stardoll. I hope in the future when someone is depicted smoking, the image will be regarded with pity, sadness and even anger. Too many lives have been cut short by smoking. Bogie died at 57 from cancer. My mother died of cancer too. I encourage everyone who is smoking to quit. Now. And if you have never smoked, good for you. Don't start.

Play safe and have fun.