From Japan:
Wait. . . . what?
(Flickr user: Dean Blackburn)
Both the weirdly formal verbiage and the diagrammed action earned these a place here. Check out the photographer’s commentary through the links for even more laughs.
Do these ads actually convince anyone, you think? How about this one?
(Flickr user: Dean Blackburn)
And now let’s head in the other direction:
Smoking’s cool. ‘Cause Santa does it, of course.
(Flickr user: SharkeyinColo)
The best part, I think, is the color coordinated packaging reminiscent of candy canes that sends the not-so-subtle message:
Cigarettes = Sweet
Those ads are a hoot! Especially the Japanese ones.
I got to take part in a county health survey last night. Once they started asking questions and I responded that I’d been diagnosed with asthma, they were very interested and had many questions about both smoking (how much was I exposed in work place or home) and air quality (how many days have you had to cut back or eliminate activities due to air quality).
Intrestingly, they were also wondering about how often I flare, how often I’d see a doc each year, if I was impacted by healthcare costs, plus how many meds I took, how often and if I was able to afford my meds.
I believe our local asthma coalition has pushed for health departments to become more active in surveying populations for asthma impact. I don’t know if the two were connected in any way but it made me thing that someone is asking all the right questions.
That’s a great sign! The questions, I mean. It’s seems sporadic throughout the country, but lately I’ve been reading and hearing a LOT about coalitions that are involving the community heavily in combating asthma and looking at environmental triggers, too. (More on that tomorrow)
On a lighter note, don’t you just love the subtle reprimand on the first sign? So subtle it took me a read or five to figure out the message……..
Dear all,
Please be aware that the Japanese signs are absolutely NOT “anti”-smoking signs.
Please, please, please do not light-heartedly chuckle and lose yourself in the whimsical mood that these advertisements strive to induce. These are signs designed and printed by JT. Their purpose is to prolong the existence of cigarettes in society by minimizing complaints from non-smokers, and by keeping the minds of the addicted off the real issue: that they are being exploited, killed and robbed, from their first stupid decision until their death – all for money.
The last thing JT wants is for smokers to realize they have been raped and enslaved until their death by the tobacco industry. JT pretend smokers have a “choice” – and they want smokers to BELIEVE that they are actually “CHOOSING” by themselves to smoke. JT trick (and play on the addiction of) their victims into believing they smoke because they “want” to. They certainly do not “want” to. The addicted feel EXTREME discomfort when they cannot get a nicotine fix, and every time they alleviate that painful, enraging discomfort (or “need”) with more nicotine, it makes the next withdrawal pain even stronger.
Do NOT smile and giggle when you see JT. They are murderers.
They are extremely rich, extremely powerful and extremely dangerous.
Please teach your kids to NEVER, EVER go anywhere near a cigarette.
Thanks,
David
JT stands for Japan Tobacco.