In the opening paragraphs of the essay, the mood the author sets about cigarettes and smoking in general is degrading and exemplifies the way things were at the time the essay took place. For example, the author states that since cops in the United States kill black men for simply walking around and breathing, cigarette packs should read "Smoking Is a Leading Cause of Death Unless You Are a Black Man, in Which Case smoke 'em if you got 'em." This shows the racism occurring at the time.


In the concluding paragraphs of the essay, the author closes her final thoughts by giving some advice about smoking and people's opinions. It is your body, your choice, and your life. Based off the way people were treated in the essay because of smoking cigarettes, I agree with the way the author closed the essay and the effect it gives on both smokers and those who judge others that smoke. Me, personally having smoked and struggling with quitting, I take this advice but also have thoughts of the way others would take it.