Tips From a Former Smoker

https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/campaign/tips/

When researching into anti-smoking campaigns, I cam across an extremely hard-hitting series of videos and images of a lady who was a former smoker. Terrie Hall was one of the prominent faces of the Tips from a former smoker campaign. The organisation has enlarged on the participants within the project below:

'Some are former smokers and some have never smoked. Almost all of them are living with smoking-related diseases and disabilities. These diseases and disabilities changed the quality of their lives — some dramatically — including how they eat, dress and do daily tasks. Some had to give up activities they once loved to do. They speak from experience and agreed to share their stories with you, to send a single, powerful message: Quit smoking now. Or better yet — don't ever start.'


I found the videos of Terrie Hall particularly hard hitting. This was due to the level of honesty that is portrayed in an autobiographical format; no airs and graces, with an 'it is what it is' level of communication. It was shocking to both see and hear how her appearance and her voice had been damaged by smoking, to an extent where she was barely recognisable from her beautiful, blonde, cheerleading teenage self.

Additionally, this reminded me of the What I Be project in terms of image layout and approach to audience communication. The fearless gaze straight into the lens eliminates any false ideologies that can be created within ad campaigns, therefore having a more powerful influence on the audience.