Will graphic images on packets get you to quit smoking?

[spookytooth]

na a few pics wont stop me.On the other hand i wish i had never had that first ciggy 40 years ago Surly theres a way to take the nicotine out of backy

[rainman]

I smoked 40+ a day for more than 10 years until I had an epiphany that smoking was one of the more idiotic things I was doing, and chose to stop. It was ferkin hard work but it was doable. Never touched one since, never want to, never will.

Can be done if you're determined enough. Not easy, I know. Get a supportive friend is the best way, someone to keep you honest.

[deanohit]

That won't work either.

Take it from a school kid. My Dad's smoked for forty odd years, I've grown up around it and hated it so though I have had a few cigarettes in my time I have no intention of starting, but a few of my friends do - they've seen these images, but when you're my age, a lot of people just think "nah, that'll never happen to me" - because of people like my Dad, who've had almost no ill side effects from the addiction, and ignoring people like our family friend Wynne (and coincidentally, workmate of my parents', and they're all doctors) who died due to throat cancer for smoking for just as long as my Dad.

I mean show it to 8-9 year olds! Really frighten the shit out of them.

My house mate still smokes despite the fact his grandad is in the house here bed riddin with Emphysema after only smoking a few smokes a day for 15 years. Thats hard evidence right here and yet he still smokes, so I doubt a few pictures will stop him.

[Livvy]

I mean show it to 8-9 year olds! Really frighten the shit out of them.

Well by the time they're thirteen or so the shock will have worn off and they'll be right into the "nah, that won't happen to me" stage anyway... Might work for a few, I guess, but without getting into the bloody PC debate, it wouldn't work because mothers and fathers wouldn't want to expose dear little Hannah to it, she might get nightmares, and then they'll be bad parents.

My house mate still smokes despite the fact his grandad is in the house here bed riddin with Emphysema after only smoking a few smokes a day for 15 years. Thats hard evidence right here and yet he still smokes, so I doubt a few pictures will stop him.

Probably not, then.

As Rain said about his decision, you have to CHOSE to stop. It'll be easier for some, but it has to be a completely conscious decision without any outside influence I'd guess. You have to want to do it for yourself, not because someone's nagging you to.

[deanohit]

Might work for a few, I guess, but without getting into the bloody PC debate, it wouldn't work because mothers and fathers wouldn't want to expose dear little Hannah to it, she might get nightmares, and then they'll be bad parents.

Yep, fucken PC world.

[Jiminy]

I'm a non smoker, so I didn't vote. I'm generally positive about things like the smoking ban in public places. But THAT is just going too far. It's just plain disgusting and will probably have no impact at all!

When will pictures of car/bike accident be mandatory on our vehicle to remind us that 'road/speed/whatever kills'? Or fat pictures on unhealthy food? Or cancer pictures on the beach? Or war pictures on government buildings?

Sometimes I'm sick of that belief that every accident or non-natural death can be prevented with some laws.

We will all die one day, so life kills, let's ban life!

[madandy]

I smoked for over 20 years. My partner, Sharon for 10 years. When we started trying to make a baby she quit - cold turkey. I continued to smoke for 6 months until a date I'd pre-set in my mind. I HAD to quit - for my son.
I read the "easy way to quit smoking' book and I really think it helped. It has helped two good freinds of our to quit. You have to be open to the idea that smoking is a RELLY fucking stupid thing to do though.
I'm a bit surprised to read people saying the image of what your lungs look like due to smoking and the thought that your heart just might one day stop becuase you poisoned it don't deter them!
SMoking nearly killed my old man and I've known a couple of blokes that passed on through fucked lungs...but then my Granfather lived to 89 and smoked since WW2.

Every time we enjoy a few beers/wines/rums/whatever in the company of smokers we realise how easily we could light one up but I for one enjoy the HUGE improvement in my health, concentration span, being able to stay inside when its pissing down and cold out side and NOT stinking like a faggot.

[007XX]

Think about it. Why else would folk participate in something that costs a fortune, fucks their health and give no benefit. Think Heroin and your on the right track.

That's exactly right...I started at 14, and attempted to give up more times than I care to remember. Sometimes for long period of times, sometimes for just a few weeks.

But I was always going back to it for various reasons. Mostly I think because my addiction was leading me to take it as a "mental crutch": I felt I needed to smoke to be able to cope with stressful situations.

And that is exactly what is fundamentally wrong with it: It makes you believe you need it...your body craves it so badly everytime you try to give up that it wears you down until you give up.

I haven't smoked since November last year, and for the first time, I really feel confident I am not going to go back to it.
I think it is because I tried giving up so many times before, I became very aware of why and how I was going back to it...the triggers became so very obvious, they were nowhere near as bad when they did happen and I could face them without having any excuse in my mind.

I think if you really want to stop smoking, you have to get back in control of what gets you to want to smoke, and start holding yourself responsible for giving in :ie you get pissed off, start craving and then really think as you're on the doorstep of that dairy, ready to buy a pack of smokes : "Do I really want to do that?"

But eh, that's just my opinion. Different strokes for different folks. All I know is: it's worked for me so far.

[Tony.OK]

I've talked to people that haven't smoked for 30 years but still miss it,one lady even carried a straw in her pocket after 40yrs just for something to put between her fingers.
A guy at work just had a heart attack and even that hasn't put him off.
The HOLD these things have is incomprehensable to someone thats never smoked.
My wife works in a rest home and theres ppl nearly 100 yrs old that still smoke and healthy ppl that die much younger.Alot has to do with body make up and life in general I think.
Pictures won't do buggar all imho.
If you don't want to give up you won't.....................shit now I want one buggar it

[Crasherfromwayback]

Same could be said of motorcycles mate! Althought teeth are sometimes the least of your worries. We choose to do these things. Cause we can. For now.

[breakaway]

I don't smoke, but can honestly say that these graphic images won't make any difference to me if I did. Just like watching all those videos of bike crashes on youtube doesn't make me want to stop riding.

[scumdog]

I'm glad they're putting those pics on the packets, after all, it's only fair the smokers know ALL the 'perks' of smoking eh? - you know other than the ones that say 'you're a rebel' and 'you'll look sexy if you smoke' and 'you'll be really cool when you smoke' and 'smoking will make you look wordly and sophisticated' etc etc.

Proper product description and all that...

[Str8 Jacket]

I'm glad they're putting those pics on the packets, after all, it's only fair the smokers know ALL the 'perks' of smoking eh? - you know other than the ones that say 'you're a rebel' and 'you'll look sexy if you smoke' and 'you'll be really cool when you smoke' and 'smoking will make you look wordly and sophisticated' etc etc.

Proper product description and all that...

Damn, I always thought that smoking made me look good. I mean, that's the only reason I smoke

[Disco Dan]

It is an addiction. As a smoker - I am an addict. Plain and simple.

Show cocaine users pictures of bad things happening on their little baggies.. do you think that would stop them from doing it?? No fucking shit it wont!

Have you ever woken up in the middle of the night because you wanted a smoke? ..traipsed outside in your undies dragging away in the cold to curb the craving? Ever experienced that first cig of the day? What about the classic and my personal favorite - the after sex smoke.

You cant make someone quit - they have to want to. That is the first major hurdle.

Well i'm off to work... need to roll a smoke for the walk...

[Str8 Jacket]

What about the classic and my personal favorite - the after sex smoke.

I *was* taking you seriously until I read this......