By James Caldwell, Torch assistant editor

The executive director of TobaccoFree.org is demanding an apology from R-Truth after the angle on Monday's WWE Raw episode where Truth lit up a cigarette, according to a report by TMZ.

Executive director Patrick Reynolds told TMZ: "For him to smoke in front of (children) is irresponsible. At best, it's thoughtless, and at worst, if he calculated appealing to kids by posing as a bad-boy outlaw, it's evil."

WWE issued a statement to TMZ in response: "The negative effect smoking has on one’s health and physical performance was a part of a storyline on last night’s Monday Night Raw. Negative depictions of tobacco use on television are not unusual and can be seen on other TV-PG shows."

Link: Report on TMZ.com.

Also Read: Torch editor Wade Keller's analysis on WadeKeller.com.

Caldwell's Analysis: Three things. (1) Mr. Reynolds, who I'm sure does excellent work with his organization, needed to be smartened up before issuing the statement since Truth's bit was part of a scripted segment. He should be going after WWE, not Truth, if he believes the bit was in poor taste.

(2) Was that really the creative WWE was going for - Truth's smoking having a negative affect on performance? They went at that in a very roundabout way and it was not well-executed. It doesn't help that WWE continues to push heel Michael Cole as the lead announcer railroading the entire show; the attempted stories just aren't reaching the audience.

(3) The last sentence of WWE's response is so typical for WWE. "Don't look at us, look at everyone else." It's straight from the WWE/Linda McMahon campaign playbook to deny and deflect, and avoid responsibility.

[Torch photo (c) PWTorch.com]

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