Analysis: "Liquid Smoking"

HEADLINE:"Pour yourself a cigarette: The new 'Liquid Smoking' drink that promises an instant high for smokers trying to beat the ban"
AUTHOR:Lucy Ballinger
LINK:http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1080594/Pour-cigarette-The-new-Liquid-Smoking-drink-promises-instant-high-smokers-trying-beat-ban.html


The lead is kind of odd, because it's broken up into four senteces and answers a W in each one. "It's the sort of news that will make a smoker's eyes light up" is the first bit of the soft news lead, which uses a play on words, (light and smoker)to hook the reader a little bit. The next sentence, perhaps the true lede, is a soft news lede and answers who (the company), what (the herbal drink) and why (to imitate a cigarett'es effects). The following sentences are more specific and name the drink (Liquid Smoking) and identify who it would effect and appeal to, which is very effective if used early enough.

The second graf brings in a bit of conflict, bringing up how anti-smoking groups fear it would spark addiction. The conflict helps keep the story moving and gives the piece more of a point than simply, "Hey, there's a new drink for smokers!" Following the second graf, the article begins to expand on what's in the drink and why the company assures that it isn't addictive.

The article introduces a primary source, Chief executive of United Drinks and Beauty Corporation Martin Hartman, to validify that Liquid Smoking is not harmful. He explains what exactly the chemicals in the drink are and the article uses several quotes from him. The quotes expand on the drink's effects.

The author brings up the confict with the anti-smoking groups again, which keeps readers reading all the way through the article.

The article fizzles out, ending with a lame fact on caffeine: "Drunk in excess, caffeine can lead to insomnia, anxiety and hyperactivity. "