I don't see why EVERYONE has to be subjected to these...

[JerseyJanice]

New York City runs anti-smoking commercials on TV around here. O.K., that's a good intention, but they couldn't do it any more disgustinly. These ads show all kinds of gory medical images. I just saw one that explained how strokes happen, with a really gross graphic of a bleeding brain. :eek

I'm pretty squeamish. I won't watch gory slasher movies. I really don't enjoy seeing this kind of thing, but unless I'm very quick with the TV remote, I'm stuck watching these horrifying.

I quit smoking when I got pregnant with my DS over 14 years ago. I have absolutely no desire to take it up again, and I can't un-do whatever damage I did to my body when I did smoke. So why do I have to look at these shockingly disgusting commercials?

I haven't caught one yet, but I heard on the radio that NYC is going to start a similar ad campaign on obesity. I could stand to lose a few pounds, but I really don't want to see video of a guy drinking a can of soda that turns into drippy fat.

Really, is fair to play this stuff on TV where everyone can see it? If I lived in NYC, I would let my local politicians how objectionable I find this. But over here in NJ, I don't think there's anything that can be done--well, expect for complaining to our cable provider and I've done that.

 

[JVL1018]

I hate those, too! GROSS!
The one of the woman who had her fingers amputated and her toes and feet-she's on constantly!I do not want to see her again, drives me nuts!

 

[mickeyboat]

Maybe we could hand out a flyer with disgusting pictures with every pack of cigarettes or every large fry.

But my thought is that if these tactics are effective at reducing smoking and obesity rates, then the benefits outweigh the disgust I have at seeing the pictures every once in a while.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

I think the most shocking one I saw was the guy in the bathroom with the trachestomy/voice box. So I guess this lady is the new one for 2010. I have never smoked but I guess if it shocks someone into quitting they have accomolished what they set out to do. I do think they are all a little too graphic.

 

[DizBelle]

Unfortunately, these days you have to be shocking to have an impact.

 

[hellokitty86]

This is one more reason why I'm glad I fast forward all commericals.... I hate gory stuff too.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

I hate those, too! GROSS!
The one of the woman who had her fingers amputated and her toes and feet-she's on constantly!I do not want to see her again, drives me nuts!

OMG I hate that one!!!!!!! It makes me almost throw up every single time. As soon as I see it coming on I change the channel. I think they are so disturbing. I don't want my kids seeing that stuff. I am an adult and I find them gross and disturbing, why on earth would I subject my kids to them. Blech!

 

[NYPDwife]

I hate those, too! GROSS!
The one of the woman who had her fingers amputated and her toes and feet-she's on constantly!I do not want to see her again, drives me nuts!

I love that one. I always rewind it so the kids can see it. I want to scare them straight.

 

[a1tinkfans]

I love that one. I always rewind it so the kids can see it. I want to scare them straight.

Seriously, It makes me sick to my stomach when I see that particular one with the woman and her fingers, or lack thereof. And to me, its like she is showing her "badges of honor" or something, almost an attitude ..just gross ........meanwhile I wonder if she also had diabetes to contribute to the loses she had? Whatever, I am glad she stopped smoking but could do without that commercial, for sure.

 

[NYPDwife]

I think she did say that she had diabetes. That can be caused by smoking (I think).

I've also showed my children websites about crackheads, meth addicts, heroin addicts. They've watched Gone Too Far and 16 and Pregnant with me. I figure they can see what other people have gone through and how drugs and smoking aren't glamorous!! What I should do is let them go to work with hubby so they can see all the amputated, drug-sick prostitutes up close and personal!

 

[C.Ann]

While they may have "some" impact on very young children (which is a good thing), they have absolutely no impact on adults and the funds involved could be better spent on successful programs that will help people to quit smoking entirely..

However - if you're looking for "outrage", you won't see or hear that until they start running ads about the horrendously gross results of obesity.. At that point, everyone and their brother will be up in arms about how horribly unfair it is..

Since both issues are "killers", you would think they would be given equal time and attention..

 

[Imzadi]

I hate those, too! GROSS!
The one of the woman who had her fingers amputated and her toes and feet-she's on constantly!I do not want to see her again, drives me nuts!

I can't stand to hear the sound of her voice. It's like fingernails on a chalk board. Of all the amputees, can't they find a pleasant person to do the commercials with?

Unfortunately, these days you have to be shocking to have an impact.

No, it just makes me hit the Mute button on the TV remote all that much faster.

I do that too with the Save the Polar Bears commercials and the Save the Children ones. They are so purosely, negatively emotionally manipulative, I turn off the sound. I can't imagine people sitting through those more than once. If they just stated the facts matter of factly, instead of guilt-tripping people, they'd probably have a more effective influence.


I also can't stand the catheter insurance commercials. I'm sorry there is such a big problem that they have to use commercials for them. But, I really don't want to hear how people have to reuse catheters. TMI!

 

[NYPDwife]

I also can't stand the catheter insurance commercials. I'm sorry there is such a big problem that they have to use commercials for them. But, I really don't want to hear how people have to reuse catheters. TMI!

OMG, that is the nastiest thing I ever heard!!!

 

[FireDancer]

Just one more reason to use the DVR and skip commercials all together.

 

[JerseyJanice]

I hate those, too! GROSS!
The one of the woman who had her fingers amputated and her toes and feet-she's on constantly!I do not want to see her again, drives me nuts!

Yeah, I hate that one too! It's very misleading too because she probably had the amputations as a result of smoking with diabetes. Smoking causes a great many health problems, but diabetes isn't one of them. It's just not educational to put something horrible like that on the air, and say this is what can happen to you if you smoke without saying that she has diabetes too.

I love that one. I always rewind it so the kids can see it. I want to scare them straight.

If you believe that "scaring your kids straight" works, then it's great for you, but what about those of us who don't believe in practicing that tactic? Unless we're quick on the remote, we're forced to view it--whether we smoke or not, or have children whom we'd prefer not see such disturbing video.

 

[DWGal210]

What bothers me most about those stop smoking ads is that they demonize smokers. I am not a smoker and know the health risks of smoking; I also understand they are trying to dissuade children from starting to smoke. However, after watching some of these ads on TV or seeing them on billboards and in magazines, it bothers me that the smoker is attacked like they are - I don't care for it at all.

 

[Aisling]

How about the black lungs posters that are in every 7-11 and gas station shop! It's not what I want to see when I'm buying a gallon of milk.

Even the radio is bombarded. NYC talk radio has the guy with the artificial voice box telling us it's too late for him, like 50 times a day!

 

[sbell111]

While they may have "some" impact on very young children (which is a good thing), they have absolutely no impact on adults and the funds involved could be better spent on successful programs that will help people to quit smoking entirely..

Please cite your source. One would think that that the very fact that so many adults in this thread are deeply affected by these commercials would prove that they do have an impact.

It should be noted that the NYC Health Department is on record stating that these ads have been effective.

Thanks.

However - if you're looking for "outrage", you won't see or hear that until they start running ads about the horrendously gross results of obesity.. At that point, everyone and their brother will be up in arms about how horribly unfair it is..

Since both issues are "killers", you would think they would be given equal time and attention..

Lots of things are 'killers'. If we gave them all equal time, there would be no airspace for the actual programming.

Also, it should be noted that 'they' are attacking obesity, also.

 

[NYPDwife]

If you believe that "scaring your kids straight" works, then it's great for you, but what about those of us who don't believe in practicing that tactic? Unless we're quick on the remote, we're forced to view it--whether we smoke or not, or have children whom we'd prefer not see such disturbing video.

If you feel that it's too disturbing, then call your local TV, Senate Rep, Congressman, etc. and start a petition to get them off the air.

 

[NYPDwife]

Also, it should be noted that 'they' are attacking obesity, also.

I gotta say, this works for me. It's water from now on. Holy Moly that's nasty!!