A seminar to begin a dialogue on the topic of TV commercials featuring actual victims of smoking, known as a ‘testimonial anti-smoking campaign’, is set to take place before the end of the month. (Image Provided by Ministry of Health and Welfare)
SEOUL, May 30 (Korea Bizwire) – A seminar to begin a dialogue on the topic of TV commercials featuring actual victims of smoking, known as a ‘testimonial anti-smoking campaign’, is set to take place before the end of the month.
According to an official from the Ministry of Health and Welfare on May 29, the Korean Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco and the Korean Academy of Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases will team up to host the ‘International Seminar on World Anti-Smoking Day’ on May 30 at the Korea Health Promotion Foundation.
The upcoming seminar will include attendees from not only within Korea, but also the U.S. Shawn Wright, an ex-smoker featured in an anti-smoking campaign implemented throughout the U.S., as well as two officials from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will be attending the seminar.
Wright, who began smoking when he was 14 years old, and continued the smoking habit into his mid-40’s, now lives with a stoma (opening) and a laryngeal implant after being diagnosed with throat cancer.
Wright, who began smoking when he was 14 years old, and continued the smoking habit into his mid-40’s, now lives with a stoma (opening) and a laryngeal implant after being diagnosed with throat cancer. (Image Provided by Ministry of Health and Welfare)
The anti-smoking campaign was titled ‘Tips From Former Smokers – Shawn’s Ad’, and was introduced throughout the U.S. in 2012. Its anti-smoking advertisement photos released by the CDC showed Wright shaving with a message that reads, ‘Be Careful Not to Cut Your Stoma’, as well as another image featuring a secondhand smoke victim with the message ‘Secondhand Smoke Triggers Severe Asthma Attacks’.
The U.S. anti-smoking advertisement, called the ‘Tips Campaign’, proved highly effective – the number of smokers who attempted to quit rose by 12 percent, while the number of individuals who pushed smokers to quit doubled. The U.S. government calculates 17,000 deaths were prevented by the ‘Tips Campaign’.
The U.S. government calculates 17,000 deaths were prevented by the ‘Tips Campaign’. (Image Provided by Ministry of Health and Welfare)
“Just as the ‘Tips Campaign’ continues to expand within the U.S., we will also produce anti-smoking advertisements and reinforce smoking prevention regulation,” said an official from the Ministry of Health and Welfare in South Korea.
The ministry revealed that it plans to simultaneously introduce a Korean testimonial anti-smoking campaign and new anti-smoking warning advertisement pictures starting this December.
By Esther J. Kim (esther.jiyoung@koreabizwire.com)
