TV ads highlight dangers of tobacco

TVM this week started screening adverts that form part of an EU-wide €72 million anti-smoking campaign mainly aimed at youths.

MTV, Eurosport and other TV stations with a young audience are playing their part in the campaign - Help For A Life Without Tobacco - by broadcasting the spots, which underline the dangers of tobacco.

The spots were first aired all over the European Union on Monday. Launched by the European Commission last week, they direct viewers who smoke to a website where they can seek help to kick the habit. The campaign focuses on prevention, quitting and the dangers of passive smoking.

European Health Commissioner Markos Kyprianou said during the launch last week that 80 per cent of smokers start during adolescence and 650,000 EU citizens die every year from tobacco-related illness.

The Commissioner said he would like to see smoking become something considered abnormal, and the adverts seek to highlight the absurdity of the smoker's attitude.

Last week, Sweden joined fellow EU members Malta, Italy and Ireland in banning smoking in public places, including bars and restaurants.