This week the Southeast Missourian asked, "Do you think cartoon characters in cigarette and alcohol advertisements encourage children to drink or smoke?"

Susan Cobb, Cape Girardeau

"Now days they do, but I don't think when I was growing up it did because we had the Hamms Bear and stuff like that and it didn't really affect us whether we did or not ... I'd say now days probably it does because it is pounded at them so much on television."

Harold G. Cobb, Cape Girardeau

"Sure they do. That's what they're (cartoon advertisements) are suppose to. Yes, they do."

Paul Smollen, Cape Girardeau

"Well, sure. Sure they do. Just because cartoon characters and stuff are associated and marketed at children, it seems like all the popular movies and stuff like that are cartoon characters as opposed to reality based. Like all the Pocahontas and all the marketing and all the toys and the whole thing is a child-type thing."

John Russell, McClure, Ill.

"No. Because it's a cartoon. It's made to look funny. I believe kids can differentiate between cartoon smoking and smoking for health wise.

Pam Bernbaum, Memphis, Tenn.

"No. I just feel like if kids are going to do it they are probably going to do it out of peer pressure more than anything else. Not because of a cartoon character."