The ad shows a teenage girl in a robe, smoking a cigarette in a bathroom before starting to brush her perfect teeth. The scene changes dramatically, as the toothpaste falling into the sink becomes maggots and the girl's flesh begins to rot, illustrating the end result of smoking.

According to a study conducted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the award-winning anti-smoking campaign, combined with an increase in cigarette taxes from 18 cents to 58 cents per pack, resulted in reduced smoking rates in the state. The telephone survey found that the number of adult Arizonans who smoke declined from 23.1 percent in 1996 to 18.3 in 1999.

While smoking rates declined along all age, race and gender lines, the greatest drop was seen among Hispanic adults. According to the study, smoking among Hispanics decreased from 21.9 percent in 1996 to 13.7 percent in 1999.

"If every state implemented programs like those in Arizona, we could expect to cut the adult smoking rate in half during the next decade," said Dr. Jeffrey Koplan, CDC director. "These findings are a positive sign that education and prevention programs do work."

Arizona health officials implemented the media campaign in 1996. The campaign, which labeled smoking a "tumor-causing, teeth-staining, smelly, puking habit," has won numerous national and state awards.

COMMENTS ON THIS ARTICLE:

Posted by Amor Ko on 10 Mar 10 10:28 PM EST

We know precisely what needs to be done to end the smoking epidemic. Smoking has killed more than 9,000,000 People since we have a clear evidence about its risks. We must assure that the impulse is conserved, so that thousands of millions more people don't die needlessly early

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