Would An Image Of Your Own Black Lungs Put You Off Smoking?

[naomi24]

When looking at two pictures on a cigarette packet today – one of clean, healthy lungs – and next to it a picture of horrible black, lumpy-looking lungs, an idea occurred to me. Rather than the NHS offering people various aids and counselling to encourage them to stop smoking, it might be cheaper and more effective if smokers were offered an x-ray of their lungs and shown the result. Any thoughts?

[anneasquith]

No Nicotine addict is even going to open those links.

[woofgang]

I just think people will become inured....like violence and gore on TV

[Lunol]

You're obviously talking about older long term hardened smokers who in many cases wouldn't care if they were that far gone as many smokers and drinkers shown lungs or liver would just say "I've done this all my life, I haven't got much left and this is my guilty pleasure"

If you show a younger person their lungs or liver 9/10 there would be no damage and many know the risks of drink and drugs but feel immortal or "They'll stop later" before any damage is done imo.

[ummmm]

Cigarette packets already have pictures of black lungs, someone coughing up blood, rotten teeth etc. Smokers become immune to it.

[naomi24]

ummmm, the thread isn't about images of someone else's black lungs.

[Zacs-Master]

Why would someone who indulges themselves in something they know is bad for them voluntarily have an X ray of their lungs?

[ummmm]

Maybe just the ones that need a final push to give up.

[Zacs-Master]

Just go to the local hospital's oncology ward. No need to subject yourself to a dose of radiation.

[ummmm]

Can random people just visit wards to look at someone suffering?

[naomi24]

Zacs-Master, oncology wards, like the pictures on cigarette packets, are about someone else.

[Zacs-Master]

Erm...yes I was aware of that.

[naomi24]

Zacs-Master, in that case you'll understand the point of this question.

[TonyV]

Naomi just for info not saying smoking is good
http://www.the-tma.org.uk/policy-legislation/taxation/

[windywillow]

An interesting link there, Tony.

I'm tempted to say that if I were a smoker, being ripped off for tax like that would make me give it up, but I don't think you can know what you'd do, unless you are a smoker. I'm just thankful I never started smoking.

[windywillow]

Sorry Naomi, I didn't answer the question.

The same principle applies - I THINK I'd be horrified at the sight and give it up, but being a non-smoker I have no clue as to how strong the craving/addiction is.