Preteens and young teenagers are the focus of a new series of antismoking ads being aired in the state of Washington, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer reported Sept. 19.

The ads drive home the message that smoking is so bad and unhealthy that teens should never start. They are part of the state Health Department's partnership with the Tobacco Prevention and Control Program.

Tests of the ads have shown that while some youths find the ads funny, they also appear to be effective in discouraging smoking initiation. "You want youth to never start, but every year there are new 12- to 14-year-olds," said state Health Secretary Mary Selecky. "We need new messages."

Focus groups have been screening the six new "No Stank You" ads for at-risk youth. The ads were developed specifically for Washington youth and run on MTV and during "American Idol" and "The Simpsons." Local kids are featured in the ads, and viewers can get a free t-shirt by visiting the NoStankYou.com website.

Responding to surveys showing increased use of cigars and chewing tobacco among youth, some of the ads focus on those substances. A "Chew Pool" ad, for example, depicts a pool of brown tobacco spit inside a boy's mouth.

"The biggest concern is getting their attention," consultant Linda Casey said. "You're never going to hit everyone, so if we can get the base level message across, it's good."