The Real Cost of Smoking
The Federal Drug Administration, usually referred to as the FDA, is an agency apart of the U.S. government in place to regulate the health of our society. With science-based information, they are responsible for informing the public of potential health hazards that may arise from the products we consume, along with advancing the healthcare system. Before the year 2009, the agency accepted the advertisement and selling of cigarettes. There were also rumored health claims that backed cigarettes, despite it being the leading most preventable cause of disease and death (Federal Drug Administration. “The Real Cost: Campaign Overview”). In attempts to lower the amount of money spent towards our healthcare system, the Federal …show more content…
The main character is presented as a distraught teenager with a smooth, childlike complexion, identifying the targeted audience’s age group. She approaches the counter asking for the drug that is assumed to be responsible for her anxiety, and places her money on the counter before the price is announced. The setting within a dimly lit store and the main character’s promptness to pay, foreshadow her inability to afford the cigarettes she is requesting. The words, “You’re going to need more than that” (USFoodandDrugAdmin. “The Real Cost Commercial: ‘Your Skin’-Menthol Version”), spoken from the clerk, the antagonist, implies that finances are not the only obstacle the child would face when attempting to satisfy her cravings. The tone of the commercial becomes tense with the character’s slow responsiveness, indicating a subconscious shift as she takes into consideration how she can possibly match the price of the cigarettes. The teenager gazes into the cashier’s eyes, searching for understanding of her present hardship. Pathos is illustrated, giving relevancy to experienced teens who have found some sort of satisfaction within cigarettes. The satisfaction causes the smoker to return to the supplier with a new found dependency, which contributes to the character’s insecure persona. …show more content…
“The Real Cost: Campaign Overview”). Bullying and appearance, for example, are presented with logical appeals, leaving the audience to reason with themselves whether or not the cigarette is worth the consequence. Rather than generalizing cigarettes, the narrator focuses on the term menthols. Menthols are a type of cigarette believed to be healthier because they contain the same oils as peppermint that relieve throat irritation, relating to previous health claims of throat disease from cigarettes. The commercial pinpoints this specific cigarette to further inform the audience there are still hazards despite rumored claims. Along with tarnishing unsupported beliefs, the administration plays on the fact that many teenagers today are self-conscious of their appearance, particularly their skin. This allows pathos to draw the audience’s attention and impose cognitive dissonance leaving the viewer to question, “Can this really happen to me?” To further explain this ideal, financial costs are not the only thing that should be considered when purchasing cigarettes; there are health risks that follow. The commercial informs the audience that addiction will happen with the main character’s needy role. Also, the costs of cigarettes will progress past financial cost, into the value of “your smooth skin,” along with “aging and wrinkles”
The Federal Drug Administration, usually referred to as the FDA, is an agency apart of the U.S. government in place to regulate the health of our society. With science-based information, they are responsible for informing the public of potential health hazards that may arise from the products we consume, along with advancing the healthcare system. Before the year 2009, the agency accepted the advertisement and selling of cigarettes. There were also rumored health claims that backed cigarettes, despite it being the leading most preventable cause of disease and death (Federal Drug Administration. “The Real Cost: Campaign Overview”). In attempts to lower the amount of money spent towards our healthcare system, the Federal …show more content…
The main character is presented as a distraught teenager with a smooth, childlike complexion, identifying the targeted audience’s age group. She approaches the counter asking for the drug that is assumed to be responsible for her anxiety, and places her money on the counter before the price is announced. The setting within a dimly lit store and the main character’s promptness to pay, foreshadow her inability to afford the cigarettes she is requesting. The words, “You’re going to need more than that” (USFoodandDrugAdmin. “The Real Cost Commercial: ‘Your Skin’-Menthol Version”), spoken from the clerk, the antagonist, implies that finances are not the only obstacle the child would face when attempting to satisfy her cravings. The tone of the commercial becomes tense with the character’s slow responsiveness, indicating a subconscious shift as she takes into consideration how she can possibly match the price of the cigarettes. The teenager gazes into the cashier’s eyes, searching for understanding of her present hardship. Pathos is illustrated, giving relevancy to experienced teens who have found some sort of satisfaction within cigarettes. The satisfaction causes the smoker to return to the supplier with a new found dependency, which contributes to the character’s insecure persona. …show more content…
“The Real Cost: Campaign Overview”). Bullying and appearance, for example, are presented with logical appeals, leaving the audience to reason with themselves whether or not the cigarette is worth the consequence. Rather than generalizing cigarettes, the narrator focuses on the term menthols. Menthols are a type of cigarette believed to be healthier because they contain the same oils as peppermint that relieve throat irritation, relating to previous health claims of throat disease from cigarettes. The commercial pinpoints this specific cigarette to further inform the audience there are still hazards despite rumored claims. Along with tarnishing unsupported beliefs, the administration plays on the fact that many teenagers today are self-conscious of their appearance, particularly their skin. This allows pathos to draw the audience’s attention and impose cognitive dissonance leaving the viewer to question, “Can this really happen to me?” To further explain this ideal, financial costs are not the only thing that should be considered when purchasing cigarettes; there are health risks that follow. The commercial informs the audience that addiction will happen with the main character’s needy role. Also, the costs of cigarettes will progress past financial cost, into the value of “your smooth skin,” along with “aging and wrinkles”