Graphic ads aim to help smokers quit

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - You've probably seen anti-smoking commercials, but you might not have seen any like these before.

WARNING: Some of the images in this story's video may be disturbing.

You can call it graphic, but a new public service ad campaign is designed to help smokers quit.

>> judge the ads for yourself here

One ad states, "This much food was found stuck to aortal wall of a smoker, age 32".

It's one of two ads introduced Wednesday morning at a press conference at Roswell Park Cancer Institute. The second ad tugs at your heat, seeing a little boy cry when he can't find his mother.

The commercial asks viewers to "Just imagine if they lost you for life."

The ads were shown to smokers and tested to be effective.

Dr. Maansi Bansal-Traver of Roswell Park Cancer Institute said, "Ads that evoke this type of emotional response not only grab your attention, but also tend to be more effective at conveying a message."

The focus is cancer here at Roswell Park and the NY Quits smokers hot line is based here at Roswell Park. Research shows that over 25,000 New Yorkers die each year as a result of smoking.

Dr. Jeffrey Willett of NYS Tobacco Control Program added, "New York is the highest tobacco state of any state in the nation."

You'll start seeing the ads beginning next week. The nearly 2 million dollars for the campaign comes from a federal stimulus grant which isn't much when you consider the tobacco industry's 430 million dollars annual advertising budget for New York alone.

Jeff Willett said, "We don't have the tobacco industry's financial resources, so our ads must be focused and high impact."

And the state is hoping these emotional ads can help the millions of New Yorkers who are trying to quit.

The state helpline is always free at 1-866-NYQUITS and you can find the NY Smoke Free website here.