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imomusI like the anti-smoking poster campaign currently being run on JR trains in Japan. It's a pretty virulent and imaginative attack on the insensitivity of smokers towards the people around them.
But why does the Health Authority financing the campaign sign off with the slogan 'Meet your delight'? Hang on, this is not an anti-smoking campaign. It's an advertising campaign paid for by Japan Tobacco. I can only assume it's a desperate attempt by the Japanese tobacco industry to demonstrate responsibility and make the case for self-regulation. Except that if you look at what the ads are saying, it's all about proposing a new etiquette of smoking in which it's up to the individual smoker to regulate himself.
I suppose, given the choice between doing the honourable thing -- committing seppuku -- and letting the customer die on their behalf, Japan Tobacco is opting for the customer's death. As long as he realizes that it's up to him to clear up his entrails afterwards in a responsible manner.
But why does the Health Authority financing the campaign sign off with the slogan 'Meet your delight'? Hang on, this is not an anti-smoking campaign. It's an advertising campaign paid for by Japan Tobacco. I can only assume it's a desperate attempt by the Japanese tobacco industry to demonstrate responsibility and make the case for self-regulation. Except that if you look at what the ads are saying, it's all about proposing a new etiquette of smoking in which it's up to the individual smoker to regulate himself.
I suppose, given the choice between doing the honourable thing -- committing seppuku -- and letting the customer die on their behalf, Japan Tobacco is opting for the customer's death. As long as he realizes that it's up to him to clear up his entrails afterwards in a responsible manner.
JT
Date: 2004-08-11 08:09 pm (UTC)I started noticing these ads around about March of this year.
The situation in Japan is gradually improving for non-smokers.
But it's still pretty bad.
Another item of interest. Apparently JT runs a chain of hospitals.
Rumour has it that they may not be very good at keeping statistics.
Or is it all a collective effort to ease the problem of the
ageing society?
Cheers,
Re: JT
Date: 2004-08-11 08:33 pm (UTC)JT, like many tobacco companies, has realised that the end is nigh and diversified into food and pharmaceuticals. Hospitals are a wise transitional business to be in, at least until they phase out the death products and concentrate on products compatible with life.
Re: JT
Date: 2004-08-11 08:39 pm (UTC)Re: JT
Date: 2004-08-11 09:57 pm (UTC)I think this is an excellent campaign for Japan, where politeness, and keeping within one's own space, is so valued. God knows what would work here, maybe "Woo hoo, you STINK!" ads?
Re: JT
Date: 2004-08-11 10:13 pm (UTC)A place that does seem to be good with statistics:
http://www.ncc.go.jp/en/statistics/2003/index.html
Their graphs are nicely designed as well.
For a bit of a scare, check the comparison of 5 year survival
rates for prostate cancer between the USA and Japan.