In and out

Group, Nov/Dec 1999

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ahead of the game?

First-on-the-scene Sega temporarily outdistanced rivals Nintendo and Sony with its launch of Dreamcast-the first of the "next-generation" video game systems that blur the line between PCs and game consoles. In addition to video game graphics that match high-quality animated movies and a processor that crunches data at four times the speed of a Pentium 11, Dreamcast comes with a 56K modem and browser software for connecting to the Internet. Dreamcast's starting lineup of 16 games includes Sonic Adventure, starring Sega mascot Sonic the Hedgehog in a state-of-theart 3-D adventure, and NFL 2K, a game that sets a new standard for sports realism.

little bidis

Imported Indian cigarettes, called bidis or beedies, are emerging as a popular trend among teenagers attracted by their low cost (half as much as regular cigarettes) and their sweet flavors (such as chocolate, raspberry, and orange). Bidis, which are hand-rolled herbal leaves filled with shredded tobacco, not only look like marijuana joints but they're smoked in similar fashion because bidis' slow burn rate encourages frequent, deep inhalation. Besides being sold in grocery stores, bidis are also available in health food stores, creating the dangerous misperception that bidis aren't as harmful as regular cigarettes. Bidis actually produce about three times as much carbon monoxide and nicotine and about five times as much tar. A recent Centers for Disease Control study found that 40% of Boston-area teenagers had smoked bidis at least once.

ways and means

A growing number of school districts across the country are boosting revenues by selling exclusive distribution rights to soft drink companies. The trend worries health advocates who fear the possible adverse effects of increased soft drink consumption. Overall, kids today drink twice as many soft drinks as they did 20 years ago.

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