I wanted to strongly suggest that you all hit up the following blog: http://www.sidewalkradio.net/. I know, I know. Clearly, I'm really starting to feel this whole blog thing. But this one is really worth checking out.
The writer of the blog gave a job talk last week for one of the SDSU Graduate School of Public Health faculty positions. He studies the history of tobacco campaigns and their use of film to paint a positive picture of their industry. Even more exciting is the fact that he creates documentaries that counter the messages being conveyed by Big Tobacco in their industry films. His films expose the environmental consequences, as well as labor injustices, that are part of the tobacco industry. I’m totally intrigued by this approach, because the health consequences of smoking don't always motivate people to quit. This might be just the right health campaign approach for the socially conscious smoker.
Check out his blog, Sidewalk Radio, where many of his videos are posted, as well as descriptions of his research. His approach to combating the tobacco problem is pretty darn unique and inspiring. Check it out.
12 comments:
The health factor is always going to be peoples' main concern when considering quitting tobacco, at least it will be the one they pronounce publicly. I think smoking being "cool" is obviously a huge factor too. But the coolness is diminishing rapidly. I'd be lying to you if I told you that part of the reason I quit was because it wasn't cool anymore. It wasn't just your constant nagging. I think somewhere along the way it became cool to be healthy (and also smell good).
I have to admit that I'm skeptical about the efficacy of an anti-smoking campaign at all. My doubts are from one source- Malcolm Gladwell's Tipping Point. Here's a summary of his argument:
The anti-smoking campaign has largely backfired- the more adults tell kids to stop smoking, the more they want to smoke. Most smokers start because they are drawn to the "coolness" and most that become addicts (very few) only become that way after a long time smoking as non-addicts. Gladwell sees the anti-smoking solution located around treating the addiction. The chapter ends kind of unsatisfactorily, but convincingly, with a recommendation for prescribing Zyban to get those people that are smoking packs and packs of cigarettes un-hooked.
I don't know if I agree with Gladwell's solution, but it certainly leaves me skeptical of all anti-smoking campaigns, no matter how convincing, sticky, or salient. That being said, I would love for someone to prove that theory wrong with an ad campaign that prevents people from being addicts in the first place!!
That being said, Ben just told me that an 8-year decline in teen smoking has been observed recently (and google confirmed). And Tipping Point was published in 2000. That means Gladwell could be wrong with his whole theory that smoking campaigns don't work!!
Wow--I still really need to read Tipping Point. So much to do! So little time! Eryn, I am so right there with you with your statement that the impact of smoking prevention campaigns is very small. However, I do think the Health Communication/Public Health field IS making some gains (and is hopefully in part responsible for the decline in smoking initiation among teens that you mentioned). But I still think that the impact is pretty darn small, partially because of the amount of funding the campaigns have at their disposal but also because the approaches are oftentimes off base. Honestly, that is why I am primarily interested in health policy as a means for influencing behavior. Just look at what happened in the state of California following the smoking ban! On that note, maybe you and I should set up a health policy practice in Portland circa 2012? What do you say?
PS. Ben you really are smelling better these days. Baby steps. ;)
Let's not forget that smoking is a fire hazard....especially when you are covered in fur.
I don't know...I use to think about stuff like this back when Ellen & I were together. Back before she took the kids & went to live with her mother in Spokane. Those were different times. We were different people. Maybe, even, better people.
Sometimes, at night, I sit in the semi-darkness of my apartment, turn on some Al Green, and pull out a pack of Camel non-filters. It's moments like this are when I feel like myself again.
I think it is great that anti-smoking campaigns are taking new approaches. As you mentioned in previous entries, kdh, the message has to be somewhat tailored to the audience, and smokers are bound to be a heterogeneous group. Although I believe that one component of the anti-smoking campaign should always emphasize the danger to an individual's health, as well as the health of those exposed to his/her second-hand smoke, too much emphasis on this issue or "scare tactics" that are too strong might actually backfire. People in this day and age obviously know about the health-related consequences of smoking when they begin to smoke or continue smoking, and therefore aggressive messages about black lungs and such might engage cognitive dissonance in some individuals. The person then disregards the message and continues smoking. Therefore, even though focusing on the health issue will work for some people, it will be important to look at factors such as the "cool factor" mentioned above (i.e., what is reinforcing people for smoking despite knowing about the health risks) or finding another factor (e.g., environmental impact) that might be more convincing to some people because the message can slip by that cognitive dissonance barrier.
Smoking rates are declining and my thinking is that it is due to the increased taxes on cigarettes, making them more and more expensive to buy, and the increase in states/cities with indoor smoking bans everywhere. In many places in Cali, it just isn't cool to smoke because that environmental movement has been going on for so long.
wow! thanks for the insightful comments everyone! i agree with everyone (even farmer, whose identity i believe i have uncovered)! don't forget to check out the blog i posted about, because i really think this guy is onto something that might further break down the smoking=cool factor.
here's to breaking the cognitive dissonance barrier!
Funny thing, Ellen called last night. She wanted me to talk to Jake (our youngest) about some trouble he got into at school. I wish it were something as minor as smoking a few cigarettes but it's not. It's some serious stuff. I may need to fly to Spokane so Ellen and I can meet with the principal.
Jesus, times have changed.
kdh- I was reminded of this thread yesterday in class when a doctor (who works in smoking cessation among other things) discussed the efficacy of doctors' advice to quit smoking (required at her hospital to those w/ pneumonia, congestive heart disease, etc). We had a long discussion, but one interesting thing she mentioned was the there is a ton of research about how to get white, male, wealthy smokers to quit, but hardly any on the way to communicate with poor and black patients (which comprise the population of this hospital). Just adds another level to the complexity of convincing present and future smokers to stay away from the cancer sticks!
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