We have launched a new Make Smoking History campaign in a bid to prompt people who smoke to stop and listen to the damage smoking is doing to their bodies.
Cancer Council WA Cancer Prevention and Research Director, Melissa Ledger, said the new ‘Sounds Like’ campaign features common consequences of smoking including coughing, wheezing, breathlessness and gum disease.
“Our Make Smoking History team worked closely with Gatecrasher Advertising to produce a campaign that shows the relatable and early health impacts of smoking,” Ms Ledger said.
“The graphic campaign depicts the common consequences impacting a smoker’s quality of life including wheezing, coughing and breathlessness, so people who smoke may be all too familiar with the sounds they hear in these advertisements.”
“The aim of the campaign is to prompt people who smoke to stop and listen to the effects smoking is having on their bodies, so they can make the most of life.”
Ms Ledger said tobacco control has had many successes over the past two decades, but smoking remains a public health crisis.
“Approximately one in 10 West Australians still smoke,” she said.
“Smoking is a main cause of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), which is a group of lung diseases that cause a shortness of breath, increased production of phlegm/mucous and persistent cough.
“At first, a person might become breathless from walking up a slight hill, but in the later stages, people can become too breathless to get themselves dressed in the morning.
“Smoking cessation is the most important intervention to prevent the worsening of COPD.
“Quitting smoking is one of the best actions you can take for your health and quality of life. People will recognise these sounds and signs in their own bodies, and we hope it will prompt them to visit our website to start their quitting journey.”
The two ads include people of varied ages, genders, backgrounds, and lifestyles in the hope that many West Australians will be able to see themselves in these ads.
The actors were a mix of smokers, ex-smokers and non-smokers, and the Make Smoking History team worked with a lung physician to ensure the effects of smoking were portrayed accurately.
