Journal Entry 7: "Smoking Kills"

I came into contact with a powerful PSA currently taking place within the tobacco industry. When I first saw it, it was absolutely shocking, however, I could not be more pleased with the overall campaign. On the cover of each cigarette box that an individual user purchases, the following words are printed: “Smoking Kills.” It serves as a reminder with each purchase any every puff of a cigarette that a consumer takes that they are partaking in a physically dangerous activity that will eventually kill them. The words are simple and powerful. They make a strong point in the most effective manner possible. I first saw this in London and thought at first it was possibly just occurring within London and the specific company that I came in contact with. However, since seeing this cigarette box, I have now come to realize the span this campaign has taken. After the first sighting of this campaign, I then saw it throughout stores in London and upon my most recent trip to Paris witnessed the exact same campaign occurring within France.  It was even more astonishing to witness this advertisement in Paris due to the rampant cigarette smoking population within Paris. In London there is definitely a large population of smokers, however, it does not nearly compare to the popularity of this act within Paris. For such a tobacco driven city to be subject to this campaign was powerful to witness. Overall, I think the message is powerful and an effective way to literally reach each individual smoker directly. At the end of the day, addicted smokers will most likely bypass the message on the label; however, it is a way in which to ultimately prevent future smoking from partaking in this terrible habit. Youth of today will grow up and see the association of cigarettes with the branding represented on the box and will choose to not smoke. This a profound step forward in the fight against the powerful tobacco industry.