Explanation of Each Message

Message #1 uses credible communication from the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center's facts to show how much more harmful cigarettes are than the public even realizes. These facts are intended to scare the smokers into quitting, since the everyday facts don't seem to have much of an effect on them.

Message #2 uses classical conditioning to show how imitating movie stars behaviors and habits can be a dangerous thing, but since films today show less glorified images of actors smoking, the attraction to imitate such behavior has decreased significantly. Big stars who don't smoke, and are happy without smoking, will give the message that people don't need to smoke to be successful and happy, so people wanting to emulate their favorite stars won't smoke.

Message #3 shows how subliminal messages could be used for anti-smoking. Putting subliminal messages in images, videos, and CDs can get someone to unconsciously pick up a message that will influence them. If subliminal messages were put in anti-smoking blogs or advertisements it may be effective because the person is already in the mindset that smoking is bad, so a subliminal message would help strengthen that idea.

Message #4 uses classical conditioning to nudge smokers towards the direction of quiting by associating smoking with high costs. By showing them how much they are spending on their habit and what other items they could be spending this on is a very persuasive case.

Message #5 uses credible communication sources such as the American Cancer Society and the US Surgeon General to promote a positive non-smoking message. By reading the facts outlines by the ACS, people will receive the hard facts necessary to make the right decision to quit.

Message #6 uses repetition by repeatedly pairing smoking with negative things. The phrase “smoking is bad for you” is itself repeated numerous times, associating smoking with being bad. In the first picture the repetition of this phrase is paired with the negative idea of having to write the same phrase over and over on a chalkboard, which is typically seen as a punishment. In the written section and in the last image, “smoking is bad for you” is repeatedly paired with negative health effects. Because it is constantly shown that smoking is paired with negative things, a person should feel strongly about that pairing and will not want to smoke because smoking has many negative effects.