1/5/19
Recently, I have been noticing an increase in anti-smoking commercials. What I have wondered is how this influx of smoking ads is affecting the teenage population. At first I thought they may work in turning our population away from smoking which some researchers believe is the case, however IFLScience conducted a study that expressed otherwise. The way this was done was by taking 441 kids from the ages of 11-17 and sent them into a fake store. In this store for some was anti-smoking advertisements. For others there was none. When asked before and then after the visit into the store, the survey results showed that those who were already at risk for smoking were more likely to smoke after seeing the advertisements. I thought this was strange at first, however I know now how it makes sense. When looking at the current habits and characteristics of a teenager we can explain many consumer patterns. Teenagers are engulfed in this idea of scandalous activity. Of wanting to do what they are not supposed to do. Like in “Merchants of Cool” we are told how teenagers are constantly fed these advertisements which have almost conditioned them to like certain things and want to do things that align with these new interests that are formed by the advertiser. Teenagers want to be cool or want to fit in. So when they see these things that you aren’t supposed to do, they want to do it even more, to rebel to be “cool” or more scandalous. They are not responsive to many of the advertising techniques used on other consumers. They will respond differently to certain attempts than other audiences. The concept of fitting in or being cool, being rebellious and scandalous, and also the idea of sex or talked down and forbidden concepts is most intriguing and grasping. Often we don’t understand why this is, but we really must accept that it is our own faults. For creating these forbidden ideas which makes teenagers only more interested. By creating this social construct in which you must fit in or be cool to be happy or have meaning. By giving teenagers the resources and access to whatever they please. It is our own fault. So I think it is time people see this and adjust their approaches to this situation because clearly certain attempts have been proven ineffective or have been shown to backfire. I think that it is sad to see how our own construct will be the fall of our own people. This situation progresses and gets worse as shown by these anti-smoking ads and it is time for us to take a different route and attempt to change the habits of teenagers. After all we are the future, but what kind of future are we creating by giving in to the social construct and common characteristics of other teenagers?
Source: https://www.iflscience.com/health-and-medicine/these-antismoking-ads-have-an-unintended-effect-on-teens/
I completely agree. One can only worry about the future generation so much, but with regards to smoking and being rebellious, it is very concerning to see how we are spiraling out of control. And with the manufacturing of so many new smoking devices it is easy to be fooled into thinking that that behavior isn't actually as bad as it truly is. I believe that social media has a huge role to play with wanting to fit in and be cool, even if that means going against being healthy and safe. We are bombarded with ideal images of what it means to be popular and socially accepted through social media, so when a celebrity is seen smoking or making poor choices, teenagers can usr that as a rationalization to also participate in those unethical decisions.
ReplyDeleteIt is very concerning seeing how many of these commercials are shown now, which reflects the severity of the situation, with the increasing rate of addiction among teenagers. Also it isn't helping that these companies are marketing and attempting to appeal to teenagers.
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