New Canadian Ads Try Scare Tactics to Get Young Smokers to Quit
Manitoba, Canada's government is trying out its new anti-smoking television ads on students in grades 6-12. The ads are aimed at scaring young smokers into quitting, the Winnipeg Sun reported Sept. 14.
As part of Healthy Living Minister Jim Rondeau's "rate and review initiative," students were shown 12 anti-smoking ads that were selected by youth focus groups.
One of the ads shows a graphic image of a tar-covered lung, while another tells the story of a young girl who lost her mother to a smoking-related illness.
"These ads hold nothing back," said Rondeau.
Yet a number of teen smokers surveyed said the ads weren't enough to convince them to quit smoking. "Seeing pictures isn't going to kill off the addiction," said Derek Scherbain, 17, who smokes about eight cigarettes a day. "They say it only takes a year for your lungs to heal, no matter how long you smoke."
The commercial that receives the highest approval rating from students will air on TV this spring.
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