‘Anti-smoking’ posters may have opposite effect

Graphic “anti-smoking” posters may actually encourage teenagers to take up cigarettes, according to research.

The US study found that some teenagers who viewed posters depicting smoking-caused diseases reported being more susceptible to smoking. The posters did not appear to have any effect on teenagers who were committed to never smoking.

Dr William Shadel, the study’s lead author, said: “Our findings are counter-intuitive and suggest that some anti-smoking strategies may actually go too far.” The findings were published by the journal Nicotine and Tobacco Research.