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Today the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention launched its newest anti-smoking advertising campaign and is getting real with graphic images and commentary from 14 individuals stricken with tobacco related illnesses and disabilities all before the age of 50.
The $54-million campaign dubbed “Tips from Former Smokers” is scheduled for a 12-week media run on various channels including mainstream television, radio, print, billboards, bus-shelter, and of course on online and mobile venues. In addition to the individuals who are already suffering from tobacco-related illnesses, three other people were chosen to be a part of the advertising campaign talking about their experiences with tobacco and how they quit before it was too late.
Scarily this $54 million campaign is only a drop in the bucket for the tobacco industry. According to Gardener Harris over at the New York Times, the average ad spend for the tobacco industry is about the same price for the 12-week campaign plus some for just two days of consumer facing commercial efforts.
How does the health industry compete against that?
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Although the current number of smokers is on the decline, a remaining 38.8 percent of the United States population are still using tobacco products. It still astounds me that even after all we know about the ramifications, tobacco use is still as prevalent in young people as ever. According to the U.S. surgeon general’s report published last week, at least two youth or young adults become regular smokers each day and one in four high school seniors is a regular cigarette smoker.
In a post back in November, I talked about my astonishment with the rise of female smokers around the District. Again I am at a loss for the reasoning behind lighting up. With U.S. federal government fighting back by way of the CDC it gives me hope that a ‘shock’ campaign such as this one could make a difference in someone’s life and possibly save some lives in the process.
Good luck to our friends at the @CDCgov on its way to changing the health of our nation. We’re rooting for you!
Check out their #CDCchat with @DrFriedenCDC & @CDCTobaccoFree on Wednesday, March 21, at 1 p.m. EDT to learn more about tobacco as the number one preventable cause of death in the U.S.
But really, do you think the campaign will cause a splash or will it sink?
