Australia's "Anti Smoking Campaign" - Would this stop YOU from smoking?

[sock.puppette]

 THIS IS A WARNING - UNLESS YOU CAN COPE WITH GRAPHIC MATERIAL AND YOUR STOMACH IS EMPTY I WOULD NOT SUGGEST YOU OPEN THE VIDEO BELOW. **************************************

This journal is not being written to bash smokers, belittle them, make anyone feel less for their decisions.  If anything, the only people who would feel less - are the one's who allow themselves to feel that way.

Before anyone starts getting upset and saying I am "anti" anything - I would like to point out that I started smoking at the age of 15.  I am now 29 and only gave up smoking during my first pregnancy and again with my second (still pregnant at 37wks).  It has never been easy, but considering I'm diabetic - this could possibly be seen as "double trouble" if I cotinued. I am trying my best to refrain from going back into the habit.

Anywho - The reason for this "controversial" journal is to gain "opinion". Nothing else.  I do know though from experience and from hearing stories that advertisements like the one below can not be found anywhere but in Australia.  (I should know this seeing I live here and have a few friends in the US and abroad who are constantly telling me that these types of ad's are not allowed).

If you were a smoker or you are a smoker would THIS VIDEO turn you off the habit? 

That is the neverending question.  Would it make you think twice about that "fag" you put into your mouth?  Or would you not care and continue to light up anyway?

I'm very curious because I would like to see the "laws of attraction".  Would it repel or drive people into taking that extra puff?  If you think you can handle it feel free to watch.... if not then thankyou for opening it at least to read the journal and PLEASE VOTE POPULAR if it hits home for you.  I would love all the feedback I can find.  Cheers.

Oh and if you would like to leave me a message feel free to do so.  Just remember this video was not shown out of malice. 

 

 

[misskimmy62]

Jul. 11, 2008 at 5:45 AM

wow, that is very powerful...

It should be shown - How many of us use the excuse that we will get fatter if we stop smoking? The internal damage that we have all been warned will happen in a long time has very little effect on most of us. But, being fat is nothing compared to what that woman is going through. Vanity has kept a lot of us smoking - maybe it could help us quit?

[lipstickclouds]

Jul. 11, 2008 at 6:16 AM Interesting...and yuck. They have some kind of gross anti smoking campaigns here too, and I have never been a smoker...but I always thought they probably were more shocking to people who didn't smoke than people who did, KWIM? I think smokers know the dangers of what they are doing, and once you have an addiction it's not as easy as just seeing a disgusting film to decide to quit. But, I applaud them for trying anyway...if even one person quits smoking or decides never to start because of seeing something gross like that, I think it is worth their efforts.

[randi1978]

Jul. 14, 2008 at 7:22 PM I'm at work as of this moment and the computers are slow and no speakers, LOL.  But I will watch it tonight when I get home.  Sadly, as I am a smoker, it probably won't move me to quit.  I have tried to quit on numerous occasions, always caving at some point or another.  When I was 20, I lasted a week...before my friends bought me a carton for Christmans because I was so bitchy, no one could stand me.

[sock.puppette]

Jul. 14, 2008 at 7:55 PM

LoL Randi, don't worry.  I've had 3-4 relapses since I was 15.  I am very lucky - I haven't caused myself (yet) any serious health complications because of the other medical factors that I have. 

But I have huge problems abstaining from cigarettes once pregnancy is over.  With Callum I gave up no problem at 13wks.  Never thought about a cigarette at all.  UNTIL two weeks post date of giving birth to him.

I started up again and my smoking got to the worst it had ever been last year before I found out about Sienna.  I was smoking in excess of 30 cigarettes per day.  So basically 1 american packet (australian packets come in varieties of 20, 25, 30, 40 and 50 lol).  I was smoking the packets of 30-40. 

Then when I found out I was pregnant this time I immediately cut down my consumption to 5 cigs, before I cut it out totally at around 8wks of pregnancy........ I already know I have a heavy risk of rebounding.

I believe that I have a very "addictive" personality.  I've seen clear signs that point towards compulsive addictions - and even though I can't self diagnose stuff like this I know I'm definately going to want that cigarette when Sienna comes out :(  I already do.  Just that thinking about her is the only thing driving me back from them.

I'll answer my own question to help anyone who reads this journal - Did this advertisement have an effect on my smoking?

NO, it did not.  It did not turn me off the habit at all.  All the smoking packets here have a warning - just like most countries on the lip of the packet.  BUT the packets here also have the pictures of what you see in the above advertisements. 

They show pictures of gum diseased mouths, pictures of rotting lungs, pictures of stroke induced brains (they actually show the burst blood vessel IN the brain), pictures of babies in NICU who are the children of parent's who smoke, pictures of diseased heart vessels and pictures of puss filled lung sacs.

As you can see - the Australian Government isn't shy LMAO!  And I agree with you Em - If a person has an addiction it isn't as easy to give up just by looking at horror pictures.  You have to want to give up before you even consider it.  Giving up when you don't want to - even just by looking at pictures is not enough.  You simply rebound like me.

The advertisement has worked for some people from what I know but very few.... Cheers ladies and for other's reading the journal continue to give feedback.  I'm all cool bananas ;)

 

(Original Poster)