As a non-smoker, the graphic ads don't sway me to change a habit. But they do make me change the channel. Good for public health. Not so good for the channel losing viewers. Which, I suppose, is a fair trade off.

The City Department of Health released a new television commercial today aimed at scaring smokers into quitting. The ad, the latest in a string of messages with graphic content, shows a man coughing heavily and then spitting up blood. The American Cancer Society says smoking rates have declined since ads like these began airing.

Also today, Mayor Bloomberg announced Weight Watchers and several other diet groups are supporting his plan to ban the sale of large, sugary drinks in restaurants, delis, movie theaters and sports arenas. The endorsement comes a week before the Board of Health is expected to approve the controversial proposal.

Mayor Bloomberg says the City spends roughly $4 billion a year on weight-related health problems, and these initiatives help save lives and taxpayer money. What do you say?

Have graphic anti-smoking ads changed your views on cigarettes? What's your reaction to Mayor Bloomberg's attempt to win public support for his ban on large, sugary drinks? In general, do you welcome government health initiatives, or are politicians infringing on personal freedoms?

Send your thoughts using the link above.

I believe that when a person wants to smoke, he/she will smoke. No scare tactics, unless they are directly related to that person - like poor health of him/herself and/or loved one, usually scares them enough to quit. Quitting is something you have to psychologically be ready for. A TV commercial isn't going to make you quit unless you've been in a bubble and not made aware of the dangers of smoking. The outside of the cartons say SMOKING KILLS, if that isn't message enough, I don't know what is.

As far as large, sugary drinks being banned, I think it's ridiculous and an invasion of one's privacy. I personally do not drink soda at all but who is the Mayor or the City to tell people what and how much of something they can drink? Last time I checked it was a free Country, of which NEW YORK STATE and CITY are part of. The last time I saw Mayor Bloomberg on TV, it looked like he had a deep sun tan. Doesn't he know that IT'S BAD FOR HIS HEALTH? Maybe he should ban getting a sun tan because it's harmful and can cause skin cancer.

Jessica
Arden Heights, Staten Island

It's great that the city is so interested in people's health and welfare, but graphic commercials are unnecessary, especially given all the readily available information in forms of reports and data on the hazards of smoking and consuming sugary drinks.

Felix
Bay Ridge

We tried a tyrannical businessman as mayor in NYC and its not paradise or nirvana. So why does the brain dead hinterland want bishop romney and his right wing nut clone Ayn ryan to do to the country what bloomberg has been doing here: measureably higher taxes, fees, soda enforcement. (does that exempt baking soda?) Ive never voted for the man; the hubris is astounding and his stature and late in life fortune has created an extremely controlling force of nature. his successor should be someone with a different persona. That eliminates Quinn.

Dr. Phil
Flushing NY

Hi John,

We all knew that the Bloomberg puppets would be out in his favor. They agree with him no matter what else happens that is important to us he still runs the show. I think they should put some serious thought into what is happening with the absurd and discussing actions of these so called politicians. Also the nerve to take such an attitude when asked about it. How come all of these people have not lost their jobs. So this tells me that they can just say I'm sorry and we are suppose to leave it at that. I DON'T THINK SO = MY QUESTION IS DO ANY OF THESE POLITICIANS EVEN THINK THAT IT COULD HAVE HAPPENED TO ONE OF THEIR CHILDREN.

ALSO THESE COMMERCIALS ARE DISCUSSING AND APPALLING ESPECIALLY WHEN WE ARE EATING OUR DINNER = WHEY DOESN'T BLOOMBERG SERVE DINNER IN HIS HOUSE WITH THESE COMMERCIALS AS ENTERTAINMENT.

HE IS DEFINITELY A SICK PERSON = WITHOUT A DOUBT IT IS SO OBVIOUS THAT HE HAS NO LEGACY TO LEAVE.

Thank you as always John,
maxxiee
mp

The only rights being infringed is the right for the tobacco companies to make money off of poisoning it's consumers. When the Chinese did this with children's toys containing lead there was a national uproar.

Francisco ( upper west side)

I am physically sick and tired from people who smoke around my home and office, so these commercials seem effective as a measure against selfish smokers who care about themselves but don't care about millions of new yorkers suffering from the affects of second hand smoke, the problem is that these commercials are very upsetting at take so long to get to the point that I end up switching the Chanel and smokers probably do the same. Just waiting on commercial showing obese people choking from drinking too much soda...

Tj
ft Greene

In this day and age, people who smoke are going to smoke. Obviously, EVERYONE knows that cigarettes do horrible things to your body. Those people don't care. THe ads are more of a conversation starter than a PSA. I highly doubt that a smoker is going to watch that ad and have an epiphany. No matter how disgusting the ad is, it will not be the catalyst to quit. A person has to want to quit and be ready to do so.

lisa
brooklyn

Hi my name is yajahira from the bronx and I personally think that these ads are getting out of hand... Yes, smokers should be aware on how dangerous smoking is to a person but this new ad is simply disgusting!

John,

I am a smoker and I must admit these ads are a bit unnerving. I would like to quit but after 43 years its a bit tough. Ads aren't bad. And any one who says they don't want to quit is full of smoke.

Don

They shud just tell people whats in cigarettes thats all

Anonymous

I have never smoked, but I would hope that any smoker would be persuaded to quit by their doctor and loved ones. These ads can only help the cause. Second hand smoke is also a great danger so I hope smokers will think of others as well. Happy Birthday NY1!

Jenny from Manhattan (Hudson Heights)

I like the ad. Its tame compared to some of the video games and action/horror movies out there. But the smoking diseases are real. That's the real terror.

Jimmy from the Bronx.

Good evening John and staff,

As graphic as those commercial has been over the years, it's a clear picture of what's to come if they continue to smoke. I just saw the most recent ad with the guy coughing up.... I hope more people light up 311 asking for assistance.

I smoked on/off for years due to stress but seven years ago, I became a happier ex-smoker. I'm so thankful I was able to finally quit by means of oral medication to fight that demon. Don't get me wrong, it was tough the first year not to go back to it out of "habit", but I stuck it out. I'm healthier and no matter what hurdles I must climb in my life, I will never return to those cancer sticks.

Nowal,
Tribeca..

I believe these ads work . I myself had smoke since I was in the Navy during the Vietnam War. That's over thirty years. I had quit 12 years ago. And I feel great for I don't wake up during the night and coughing my head off.

Freddy
Glen Oaks Village

I'm totally for the anti smoking ads. I have a 12 year old son and every time he see's one of those commercials he they have the same effect on him. After seeing the ads he questions why people smoke. He just can't understand it. I the effect they have on him is worth it. He has vowed that he would never touch a cigarette. So for me it is well worth it. I hope they never stop the ads.

Tanya

I am a non-smoker.The ad is very disturbing and graphic. Hopefully this will help smokers wake up and see what smoking can lead too. I always need to change the channel when seeing those commercials.

Jennifer, Ridgefield

John,

Smoking does not cause cancer. If smoking did cause cancer, everyone who smokes would develop cancer. Since everyone who smokes does not develop cancer, then smoking cannot be the cause of cancer.

The best that you can say is that smoking might, just might, be a factor among others.

It's well past the time for Prohibition Bloomberg to smoke off.

Joe
Port Richmond, SI

Everyone knows the health risks of smoking and yet the governmenrt collec t5s taxes on the sale of cigaretes. this only points out how society is hypcritical. They tell youths no violance yet they kill people in the middle east. They tell gangs not to seek revengage but allows solitary confinement to punish inmates who have not yet been to trial. america is corrupt, indifferent to poor peoples plight.

allan
midwood

Adds schmadds!!! It's the cost of cigarettes that's bringing the smokers levels down. Just like the ridiculous cost of food in the most expensive city on the planet force people to gorge on the more affordable junk food! As far as Weight Watchers and other diet groups endorsing Bloombucks...he has been known to open his wallet to get people to support his causes. Over weight people keep Weight Watchers in bussiness. Suddenly, they don't want clients??? Give me a break!

Norm
Upper East side

I donot find the advertisement disgusting. The ad is very educational and infomative. It allows the individual to see what would happen to them if the continue to smoke. These advertisement arm smokers with the knowledge to make a concious decision about their health, At the end of the day its their choice hope the ADS help them to make the correct one. If the ADS stop 16 people from smoking then it a plus I say play it.

Velma

Is okey for parents to smoke while carrying their child on the arms or stroller. Is okey to show violence, sex, n weird cartoons on tv, But not this ads? Please keep the ads on tv, people also have to understand that our human body depend on us.

Anonymous

I participated in an inspiring TV anti-smoking ad. It features myself and two other smokers who successfully quit smoking after many years. We share our practical tips on how to quit for good in this ad from CDC's "Tips From Former Smokers" campaign.

James

Hey, Good Evening John,

Everything boils down to survival of the fittest, strong minded vs weak minded. People need to drop the bad habit and take initiative to self improve, not distruct..take a trip to the gym n burn those butts.

Thanks
Lauryn, Inwood

Hi John,

I got a couple of people to quit smoking, and quite a few others really thinking about it, by showing them the financial consequences of smoking. I showed them via an Excel spreadsheet. If a young pack-a-day smoker quits, and puts the $12 per day into an IRA, after 40 years using the standard 8% interest calculation, they’d be retiring with over ONE MILLION DOLLARS, and that’s assuming that the price will remain the same for the next 40 years — which you know it won’t.

I quit in 1987 when cigarettes reached ONE DOLLAR (which I refused to pay), opened an IRA, and put my $30 per month cigarette money into it. That enabled me to not only retire 6 years earlier than my normal retirement, but I’ve now been retired very comfortably financial wise for the last 10 years; I’ll also have plenty to leave for my heirs, and I’ll also live a lot longer to enjoy it all.

Regards,
Walter,
New Dorp

I smoked for 14 yrs and I have to say that these ads absolutley help me. Although drastic and graffic they are very much effective.

Rafaela

I think that the Mayor and Weight Watchers efforts to teamup may be helpful to children and youth in terms of educating them on healthier choices earlier rather than later. The children can influence their parents about making better choices as well. Hard-headed adults well that is another story. The ads will reach some of them, but, hard core smokers are in denial. They don't believe that there will be any health consequences for them until they end up in the hospital and out of options.

kathy from Throggs Neck da bronx

The graphic anti-smoking ads do nothing but cause resentment. What's truly bothersome is how the Mayor leans so heavily on smokers, whom he depicts as an inconsiderate group of louts to be shunned - while doing nearly nothing to help curb the out of control drinking that causes so much grief and destruction. Where are the ads of smashed up cars, grieving relatives, bloody accident victims, domestic violence victims, young people leaving bars with their judgement so impaired they may not make it home, drunks engaged in sickening behavior that can tear apart entire families? How about telling the truth - that alcohol is THE gateway drug!

If you view one of his early press conferences about smoking, you will hear Mayor Bloomberg cheerfully say "don't smoke..... just drink more!"

F. M. Gray

I am glad that these ads have been made to more strongly address the serious health issues as it relates to smoking. I do feel the most recent commercial should be shown late evening when young children aren't viewing television as it proves to be very graphic.

Donna
bay ridge

if smokers don't want to see the truth, they can change the channel....and die. that's their choice. my choice is to have the commercials made to keep my insurance premiums down. children are upset? AWESOME!!! let's put the ads on school milk cartons to upset them more. put the tobacco pushers out of business for good!

deb
jackson heights

Smokers have the right to do whatever they want, but they are selfish because they don't consider the harm they do to those around and they especially don't consider the hardship and heartache their loved ones face when having to care for them and see them suffering from the diseases and illnesses caused from smoking.

Jeanine-Far Rockaway

Is sugary drink refers as well to juice bars and coffee like a frappe or fruit shake fresh squeeze

Ron a.

hi, im gayle d. and think its a great idea to have limitations on drinks and smoking.

I think its totally ridiculous that people are opposed to the large drinks ban. Why don't people want to be healthier and look after their bodies? Why don't people want to look after the future generations who are being brought up on 32oz sodas!! So what you cant buy a bucketful of soda... Those sizes shouldn't have even been allowed to exist in the first place its about time someone did something about the portions that are available these days!

Nicola

I agree with the Mayor. I am a hard working New Yorker and I am sick and tired of paying all these taxes to help people who don't want to help themselves. People receiving government help should be more conscious of what they put in their body especially since they don't pay anything for health insurance. Us tax payers pay for their health insurance.

Junior from Dyker Heights.

I like the graphic ads, and I believe that a more graphic ad would be if the cigarette manufactures names were placed on the ad stating who the real killers are.

Qadir

Just a reminder: The Center for Disease Control says, “Sugary drinks have been linked to poor diet quality, weight gain, obesity, and, in adults, type 2 diabetes. And Eric Finkelstein, the foremost authority on the economics of obesity in the United States says on average, “obese people spend $1400 more a year on health care compared to someone of normal weight.” The payments go to doctor visits, lab work, diagnostic tests, prescription medications, hospital stays, the various therapies, and everything else that is a direct cost of the condition. And there are the indirect costs: lost wages and productivity due to sickness and long-term disability.

The cost of obesity is what makes soda consumption a public health issue that effects us all. If people don't have the good sense to stop the food companies from setting the table for us, the the people need some help. There isn't enough money to waste on self-created health problems.

Re: Weight Watchers endorsement, it's good publicity for Weight Watchers, but meaningless for us.

Mary
Brooklyn

As usual, as in all serious issues affecting our citizens, why doesn't anyone the bring up the bottom line of the problem, which in this case is: Cigarettes are deadly and cause us to lose our health and sometimes life. Why do cigarettes continue to be legal in this country? Why are they not made illegal? Can someone give a coherent answer?

Thank you.
Gina

I don't smoke but I'm offended by the graphic nature of these ads and when they come on I tune out and watch another channel. I also feel they are not effective. Smokers must be just as offended as I am and probably tune out as well.

Smoking kills. If Bloomberg wants to do something aside from regulate soft drinks, he should make it illegal to smoke anywhere, including a private home, in NYC. Actually, it should be a national law. If you know it kills that should be enough. But it also costs tax payers billions each year, what are politicians thinking. Are they thinking it is still a smokers choice. Sorry, but it shouldn't be.

Take off those horrible ads and contact my market research company to discuss a more effective approach.

Gabriel