I've read a lot of people saying that cigarette advertising didn't affect them when they were smokers because they bought whatever they had coupons for.
Those advertisements weren't for you! They were for me, when I was 17, and they worked just great. They still are a trigger for me. My theory is that younger people are more susceptible to image, packaging, and bright, shiny colors than more mature people. I've bought Marlboro Reds because I love the packaging, just as I've drank Budweiser because I think the red label is cool. Classic looking, or something. When I see an image of a slender woman wearing nice clothes and smoking in a bar I still get a little antsy. It's a gut reaction, and it gets cancelled out by logic, but the reaction is still there.
Marketing campaigns are extremely effective. . .I can't afford to underestimate this fact because it is important that I remain on my guard to it. I read that Norway was considering putting all cigarettes into packages wrapped in gray paper and banning all cigarette advertisements. The thought gave me enormous pause. How much less of a headache would I have if that was the reality in America?
Alex
I have chosen not to smoke for 2 Weeks 2 Days 18 Hours 26 Minutes 42 Seconds. Cigarettes not smoked: 268. Money saved: $67.07.