Smoking like a bad friend: hard-hitting new TV ad

A hard-hitting new ad campaign likening smoking to a bad friend will hit Queensland TV screens this Sunday.

Health Minister Stephen Robertson said the 30 second QUIT ad, funded by Queensland Health and the Queensland Cancer Council, likens smoking to a bad friend and confronts young people about their “relationship” with smoking.

“This new ad campaign has a very simple message: If smoking was a friend – you would want him out of your life,” Mr Robertson said.

“It challenges young people to ask what smoking gives them in return for the sacrifices they make for their habit.

“The ad highlights the time, financial and the social impacts on the lives of young people arising from smoking, as well as its dire health consequences.

“These include a range of serious chronic diseases and potentially fatal diseases such as cancer and heart disease.

“This campaign is about reminding young people in particular that these diseases are a likely outcome rather than a matter of chance for smokers.”

Mr Robertson said while more Queenslanders were butting out thanks to the Bligh Government’s tough anti-smoking laws, smoking rates were still among the highest in Australia.

“Independent research reveals that since the introduction of our tough new smoke free laws, 67 per cent of smokers are smoking less in public places,” he said.

“It shows 22 per cent of smokers tried to quit and 27 per cent of ex-smokers have stayed smoke-free.

“Despite this, Queensland has the third highest smoking rates in Australia with 17.2 per cent of Queenslanders aged 14 years and older smoking daily.

“We want to cut smoking rates even further to help fulfil our Toward Q2 vision of making Queenslanders Australia’s healthiest people.”

Mr Robertson said the commercial is targeted at smokers aged 18-39 and based on research which found many smokers are dismissing clear links between smoking and disease.

“The facts aren’t in dispute - smoking is a major risk factor for chronic diseases,” Mr Robertson said.

“It causes 80 per cent of lung cancer cases, 63 per cent of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and 11 per cent of coronary heart disease in Queensland.

“Smoking is responsible for 3458 deaths and 34,138 hospitalisations in Queensland each year.

‘It costs the Australian economy $35.5 billion each year, with the average individual smoker paying out around $3500 a year for cigarettes.”

The “If Smoking Was a Friend” commercial screens until January 2009.

By calling 13 QUIT (13 7848) smokers can speak directly with a trained Quitline advisor, who can provide support, encouragement and resources that are tailored for the individual.

Smokers can also receive quitting information in the mail by texting ‘out’ to 13 QUIT.

Minister’s Office: Catherine Goldie 0417 728 676