Spinoff to anti-smoke commercial..do you think smoker's even notice the commerical?

I didn't see the commercial but I remember the one where the mom was driving with the windows up and the toddler was in the back. That one bothered me too.
Do you think smokers really pay attention to these commercials and think to themselves that they need to stop.
My parents both smoke and have been smoking for 30 years. My mom smoked durning each pregnancy and she was very fortunate that her smallest baby was 7.5lbs and nobody has any birth defects. They still smoke about a pack a day each and I cringe when I have to go their even though they try and smoke outside or in the garage. I am sure they have seen that commercial but I really don't think it would ever click for them.
What are your thoughts?

Re: Spinoff to anti-smoke commercial..do you think smoker's even notice the commerical?

I think it's really targeted to those who are considering quitting, and could be VERY effective for that population. The decision to quit is often a "cumulative" decision, i.e., years and years of information on the dangers, suffering some health effects, the increasing $$$, etc. so these graphic ads may "tip" that person into quitting (or trying to quit) for good.
If someone is "just not there yet" I don't know if it would MAKE them quit, but even if it adds to their mental readiness that's a good thing...

Re: Spinoff to anti-smoke commercial..do you think smoker's even notice the commerical?

Re: Spinoff to anti-smoke commercial..do you think smoker's even notice the commerical?

Honestly I don't think they have that big of an effect. When I was smoking the commericals didn't make me want to quit.

I think what happens is a family member or loved one sees it and mentions it to the smoker.

As a former smoker who still struggles with the urge everyday, I know this is true.

Re: Spinoff to anti-smoke commercial..do you think smoker's even notice the commerical?

i think you really need to be motivated to quit for it to work, other wise we would not have many smokers out there as ads/info regarding negative impact of smoking is pretty strong.

Re: Spinoff to anti-smoke commercial..do you think smoker's even notice the commerical?

I think if you are ready but need a push than YES you will notice, if not than you will probably change hte channel.

My dad was an alcoholic when I was young...he would just change the channel when some anti-drinking message came on...he didnt even think twice.

Then we noticed he stopped changning the channel...a few weeks later him and my mom got into a fight and he asked for help...he was finally ready and within days he was enrolled in an inpatient program....its now 15 years later!!

But it took him being really ready on his own to look in the mirror and realize those ads were about HIM!

Re: Spinoff to anti-smoke commercial..do you think smoker's even notice the commerical?

Not really. Everytime one comes on I give my boyfriend a look or comment and I get a "whatever" or a roll of the eyes. Like PP's said maybe if they are contemplating already it might help.

Re: Spinoff to anti-smoke commercial..do you think smoker's even notice the commerical?

I think that they notice it, but I don't know that money spent on commericals is the best way to get people to stop smoking.

That money could be put into cessation programs that could be MORE effective that something that can be fast forwarded on a DVR or TiVO

Re: Spinoff to anti-smoke commercial..do you think smoker's even notice the commerical?

As a former smoker I can say they NEVER had an effect on me. All I ever did was either change the channel or .

Re: Spinoff to anti-smoke commercial..do you think smoker's even notice the commerical?

My sister has been smoking since college and is 34 now. She has two children: a 6 year old and a 3 year old and she resolved to quit after seeing that commercial. To my knowledge, she hasn't made a serious attempt to quit smoking until now. I don't know if that commercial would affect a non-parent in the same way.

As for me, I quit four years ago when I became pregnant, but I swear if that tracheotomy (sp?) guy commercial was on before that--I would really have been moved to quit.

Re: Spinoff to anti-smoke commercial..do you think smoker's even notice the commerical?

Re: Spinoff to anti-smoke commercial..do you think smoker's even notice the commerical?

I think it's a federal requirement that the tobacco companies HAVE to fund anti-smoking campaigns too; the govt mandates a certain $ amount that must be spent...

Re: Spinoff to anti-smoke commercial..do you think smoker's even notice the commerical?

It's a mixed bag.

I know many smokers who wish they could stop, only smoke with the children not around, are respectful & know the consequences of their actions. It must be one powerful addiction to realize the damage it can cause to you & those around you but to continue to do it. I can't imagine anyone wants to leave their child an orphan.

Unfortunately, I also know some selfish idiots who don't give a rat's azz about anyone but themselves. Chainsmoke with children in the car, sitting next to a pregnant woman, etc. They don't even acknowlege the consequences to to those around them - and if they do - they don't care. A commerical just makes them roll their eyes.

I'm a militant anti-smoker - who married a guy who smoked (my friends were floored). He quit after we had children. Seven years later, my DH still misses smoking and gets the urge. If he ever went back, we would have some serious issues. I have a hard enough time with how little he cares about his health now. Smoking would put me over the edge. For me it would be saying "I don't care if I leave these kids fatherless." and that's completely unacceptable.

Sorry for the hijack, it's a topic that infuriates me.

Message edited 4/1/2009 11:32:41 AM.

Re: Spinoff to anti-smoke commercial..do you think smoker's even notice the commerical?

I was a smoker until 18 days ago and yes when i used to see those commercials they used to scare me so I would change the channel now I watch them so I never go back to smoking!

Re: Spinoff to anti-smoke commercial..do you think smoker's even notice the commerical?

DH is very aware of them and I can feel an unspoken tension when they are on. He knows that I hate tha he smokes and he knows that he needs to stop, but he's just not ready. He never smokes with the kids in the car and always (tries) to smoke away from them when we are outdoors. It's a hard addiction to quite. Those commercials scare the heck out of me.

Re: Spinoff to anti-smoke commercial..do you think smoker's even notice the commerical?