Shock television campaign will encourage smokers to quit
 

A shocking new television campaign about the effects of smoking will encourage smokers to quit, according to The Quit Group.

The Quit Group has welcomed the Government announcement that it is injecting $43.6 million into tobacco control over the next four years, including funding a new threat-appeal campaign to highlight and explain the graphic warnings which will feature on tobacco products next year.

Executive Director Helen Glasgow says the two television commercials graphically show the effect of mouth cancer and amputation caused by smoking and will be quite hard for viewers to watch. She says the television commercials will be an adaptation of an Australian campaign, which doubled calls to Quitlines in some parts of Australia.

“Evidence collected by The Quit Group shows strong images showing the diseases caused by smoking are the most effective way of encouraging smokers to quit. Many smokers experience fear and disgust which motivates them to make a change.”

The Quit Group has also welcomed the Governments decision to put some additional budget into freephone national Quitline 0800 778 778 to help ensure smokers wanting to quit can get help.

Ms Glasgow says it’s important that people who are affected by the graphic warnings on cigarette packets and want to quit can access support, advice and low-cost nicotine patches and gum from anywhere in the country.

To view the Australian commercials visit: http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/cancer_inst/campaigns/healthwarnings2006.html

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