Anti-Smoking commercials... is it just me?

[Humdizzy]

I see all these Truth commercials about cigarettes and cigarette ads clogging the minds of youth and stuff, but is it just me or are the only things advertising cigarettes today are these anti-cigarette commercials and ads? I haven't seen a single cigarette commercial in years and I think that these anti-smoking commercials are just basically advertising cigarettes instead of trying to stop it. And I think that these commercials basically exagerate the situation about young people smoking. Today a lot of people think smoking is very unattractive and I think overall not many people do it today as it was in the 90's.

 

[oliciv]

I don't know what the situation is like over there, but there is a big problem with young people smoking here (UK). Many still start as soon as they start secondary school (12 years old) because they suddenly feel all grown up :hehe:

I'm 19, so experienced this for myself not too long ago (although I was one of the few who did not take up smoking)

I was on a bus the other day and overheared a young girl (13-14 maybe) bragging about how her parents had bought her cigerettes, and her friends mention that their parents just accepted the fact that they smoked. It was pretty depressing really

 

[gchick]

I tried smoking when i was 19. But i never found out why they are addicted to it. When i was in high school, you'll be one of the popular kids if you smoke. Its kinda sad to think that kids at a very young age do this and i know they'll gonna regret it when they become older...or if they'll still get old

 

[sunken]

Actually the movies and peers are more prominent on smoking than ads on TV. I don't think the Truth ads advertise smoking. Kids learn it from lots of different places, including their parents who smoke.

 

[Shorty]

I don't think showing a picture of a rotting lung is going to encourage smoking.

 

[jstep]

I really dont see these commercials as promoting smoking, And yes I think it still is a problem

 

[Humdizzy]

I'm not saying it's promoting it. I mean the only thing I ever see about cigarettes on TV ever or almost everywhere else are these Anti-Smoking ads. But I also mean like in these commercials they claim that these companies like Marboro and stuff are spending millions on advertising to fill our heads with the idea that smoking is good, but the thing is I've seen not one ad for cigarettes in years.

 

[sunken]

According to Wikipedia, ads for tobacco were banned from US TV in 1971, thus they cannot show them here, even though in the 50's and 60's they were a big advertising market.

 

[01wojtowicz]

I think youll find that its now illegal to advertise ciggarettes, thats why formula 1 lost alot of advertising revenue a few years back, because the cigarette companies sponsored them so much

 

[eh-stevo]

Those Anti-Drug movies and Ads and such things the schools due to try to prevent it, as from what I've seen, dont have to much impact on alot of people at my school.

Stevo

 

[bonzer]

Well my 2 cents ...

I smoke and yes I started @ 12 yrs old (now 32), wish I had never started,
My older son (nearly 6) allways says things to me when he see's the adds for Lung Cancer etc on TV, Really gets to me..
I mean my child asking me to stop smoking because he does'nt want to lose daddy and he is only nearly 6..

WISH I COULD STOP
Yeah i have tried patches and chewing gum with no luck
I personally think it is down to will power (I ain't got enough)
The worst time is when i am on the PC (yes I have one now )

I do not think tv adds make any difference these days.

 

[SJM211]

I hate those adverts - I think everyone that smokes knows that it's bad for them so why do they have to be reminded constantly? I'm not promoting smoking in any way - I think that people wanting to stop should be helped and encouraged and that schools should educate kids on the dangers of smoking. I also think that those adults who want to smoke (in a place away from non-smokers) should be allowed to without feeling guilty.

I used to smoke, started at 15 and smoked for 10 years. Stopped over 2 years ago now as my girlfriend at the time (now my wife) gave me a hard time about it, the fear of what she'd do if I started up again was such a deterrant that I never smoked again - much more effective than patches and gum

 

[CoolGuy]

I like that fact that they constantly advertise. I am around a lot of young people ever so often and the kind of things they say or questions they ask are bewildering. It's amazing how many mistakes they can make. When I was 15 I remember thinking evertime I got a lecture on AIDs that I didn't need to hear it so often but then I remembered my peers - some of them actually need to hear it everso often.
So trust me, although you might know better and would never smoke or do other things there are others around you who may not be of like-thinking. So these advertisement would work on some people.
Another thing is that it's difficult for a cigerrate company to advertise on TV especially when most Television networks are family and youth oriented these days. That would cause a ruction.

Anyway, that's just my 2 cents.

 

[primacomputer]

I see all these Truth commercials about cigarettes and cigarette ads clogging the minds of youth and stuff, but is it just me or are the only things advertising cigarettes today are these anti-cigarette commercials and ads?

Bingo! Who do you think pays for these anti-smoking advertisements? There's no such thing as bad press.

 

[Amnezia]

Bingo! Who do you think pays for these anti-smoking advertisements? There's no such thing as bad press.

in the UK they are paid for by the NHS, i guess the NHS are actually trying to get people to smoke by showing people dying of lung cancer.

 

[oliciv]

Bingo! Who do you think pays for these anti-smoking advertisements? There's no such thing as bad press.

Are you really suggesting what I think you are?

That would be like Ford advertising a new car by showing someone in hospital after crashing one.

 

[primacomputer]

in the UK they are paid for by the NHS, i guess the NHS are actually trying to get people to smoke by showing people dying of lung cancer.

That's the problem with guessing. You often guess wrong. All anti-smoking ads in the UK are not paid for by the NHS.

Are you really suggesting what I think you are?

If you mean I was suggesting that most anti-smoking ads are paid for by the tobacco companies, then I'm sorry I should have been more clear.

Many anti-smoking ads are paid for by the tobacco companies. Tobacco companies spend millions of dollars every year on anti-smoking advertisement. This is a fact which I know to be true.

That would be like Ford advertising a new car by showing someone in hospital after crashing one.

It's not as strange as it might seem. To begin with the tobacco industry has agreed to to run anti-smoking ads as part of court settlements and self regulation. There are heavy restrictions on what type of advertising tobacco companies can do. In many places the only advertising option left open is “anti-smoking” ads. Advertising is all about brand recognition. Getting your brand out there while passing along a “kids shouldn't smoke” message is a let better than a kick in the teeth.

 

[{insert name here}]

It's not as strange as it might seem. To begin with the tobacco industry has agreed to to run anti-smoking ads as part of court settlements and self regulation. There are heavy restrictions on what type of advertising tobacco companies can do. In many places the only advertising option left open is “anti-smoking” ads. Advertising is all about brand recognition. Getting your brand out there while passing along a “kids shouldn't smoke” message is a let better than a kick in the teeth.

You are correct sir!

It was a strange choice of the Supreme Court to make, as its advertising, wich would be illegal for them other wise. It has not really helped sales for R.J. Reynolds and Philip Morris, but it does two things at one time. Tells kids, "hey, don't smoke", and it also reminds those of us that do, "hey, that pack looks a little low, maybe you should go get another, and light one up while your at it".

But they love it I am sure, as instead of paying extra millions to cancer patient faimilys, they get to be on tv, even though its not a 100% good image for them, they don't mind I am sure.

 

[deleted984054565403]

It's a personal decision to start smoking and it's a personal decision to stop. Anti-smoking commercials are a waste of money and time. I'd imagine that people that do smoke understand what it's doing to them (what else would they think happens when you breathe in smoke every day all day?).

Tell me whatever you want about patches and anti-smoking gum. They're distractions to try to get you away from smoking, whatever is in it. Once your lungs are black and filled with tar it's damaged forever. I could go on and on but I don't want anyone to feel bad.

I'd imagine that teens start smoking because it gives them a sense of feeling like they're adults, and it's a challenge and the satisfaction of knowing they're getting around the law by doing something they say is wrong. Just my opinions.

 

[.X.]

I think thier objective is to show that smoking kills,But at the same time,I agree with you hummer,It is also a form of advertising to possible encourage smoking.I dip snuff tobacco,I started when i was 11,I could actually walk into any local store and buy it at that age,There were no laws as to the age of buying tobacco products in the 1970's.I will say this,It is a nasty discusting habit,And habit is the keyword,Nicotine is as addictive as herione.I have tried to stop by using the patch,the nicotine gum,cold turkey,and have not been successful,Although,i know others who have been successful at quiting.I do plan on trying to quit again soon,Perhaps i need to just lay down some serious will power.But i can't stress enough,Do not start using tobacco products,They are all nasty,Extremly costly,And definatly a health hazzard.

A very good and insightful post, Hummer,And iam adding rep for you