Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Concerning the Negative Anti-smoking campaign..a revision...



Recent ads created for the anti-smoking campaign 
feature people with terminal health issues caused 
by their addiction to nicotine and cigarettes. This 
strategy embraces fear as the only tactic to affect 
change. This was tried in the 80s when the actor 
Yul Brunner made the PSA about his lung cancer. 
Scare tactics don’t have long-term impact. 
Intimidating people with visions of carcinogenic 
horror only works short term. People block images 
they don't want to remember. 
Who decided that fear works?

Why is there no focus on the positive aspects
of being smoke free? Why has this approach
not been tried?

I stopped three years ago after a three decade 
habit, and regained most of my lung capacity, 
my sense of smell, and have saved $8,000. 
My friends say I look healthier, smell better and
stopped the constant coughing. Their unwavering
encouragement is what worked for me. Anti-
smoking advertising should focus at least some 
of their campaign on the personal success of those 
who get smoke free. This alternative approach 
would certainly be a breath of fresh air.

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