Cancer Society Burns Jordan Over Cigar Shots

Millions of kids still wanna be like Mike -- and according to the American Cancer Society, that's a bad thing.

The ACS is fuming over several photos TMZ posted earlier of MJ playing softball with a fat stogie hangin' out of his mouth. Now, the ACS has unleashed a mouthpiece of their own, their former president Cary Presant MD, who told us, "When high profile athletes publicly display unhealthful habits they can mislead young people to emulate their behavior. According to the American Cancer Society tobacco use in this country is responsible for 1/3 of all cancers and remains the most preventable cause of death in our society. 8.6 million Americans suffer from chronic smoking-related disease. Since 1964 smoking has cause more than 12 million premature deaths in the U.S."

Calls to Jordan's reps were not returned.

Tags: american cancer society, AmericanCancerSociety, cancer, cigar, michael jordan, MichaelJordan, mj

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(Page 6 of 6) Previous 15 Comments

76. To see what American Cancer Society really says about this "incident," see the link below to access ACS' website:

http://www.cancer.org/aspx/blog/Comments.aspx?id=242

Get the story right people!

Posted at 4:53PM on Sep 3rd 2008 by tracy

77. I'm a reporter, and while I'm aware TMZ is neither a reputable news source or worth much of anyone's time, they still need to do their research.

The Calif. division of the organization was contacted...not the Society's media team at its National Home Office (in Atlanta).

http://www.cancer.org/aspx/blog/Comments.aspx?id=242

TMZ, get it right.

Posted at 3:52PM on Sep 4th 2008 by Angie

78. How about the fact that TMZ asked for ACS to comment and that's just what they did. I'm doubtful they really care about one individual celebrity who smokes, it's their choice and they aren't going to go after each person that does it.

Posted at 10:16PM on Sep 8th 2008 by Seriously!

79. YEPPP PRETTY RIDICULOUS CELEBS AND PRO ATHLETES ARE NORMAL PEOPLE TOO JUST CAUSE HE SMOKES A CIGAR HECK HE WAS DOING THAT WHILE PLAYING FOR THE WIZARDS ETC... NOW A BETTER NEWS STORY WOULD MJ WERE TO COME OUT OF RETIREMENT FOR THE 4TH TIME AND PLAY FOR HMMM THE CELTICS OR THE SPURS OR SUNS TEAMS THAT HAVE A LEGIT SHOT AT PLAYING FOR A TITLE I CAN SEE MJ AS A SOLID 6TH MAN OFF THE BENCH THAT WOULD BE SWEET

Posted at 2:15PM on Sep 13th 2008 by jitesh patel

80. OMG they're worried about kids emulating this.....but look at all the female stars starving themselves into size zeros! ALL the girls out there creating an unhealthy lifestyle for themselves because these "stick figures" are popular. Priorities people....

Posted at 12:39PM on Sep 8th 2008 by Tara

81. MJ was on the cover of Cigar Afficianato several years back. How is this newsworthy at all? MJ has said himself that he used to smoke a stogey on his way to the Bulls Arena EVERY MORNING! He has no problem admitting/showing the world that he enjoys smoking cigars , and is the world's most successful marketing icon IMO. Ok maybe Tiger or Kobe have been more successfull, but you know what i'm saying.

Posted at 2:30PM on Oct 10th 2008 by MJFAN4LIFE

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