Tobacco & Alcohol Ads: What Are They

Really Saying?

Get out the tobacco advertisements that you’ve collected and turn to the “What’s the Real

Message?” worksheet on page 17.

You are going to work with a partner. Share your advertisements and choose the 2 ads you think are most targeted toward youth. Base your decision on the discussion we had during our last class about

the strategies tobacco companies use to target young people.

Once you have chosen the 2 advertisements, complete the questions on the “What’s the

Real Message?” activity sheet.

The advertisements you analyzed often used the following techniques to appeal to young people:

• They make it look as if smoking or drinking is exciting.

• They make it look fun.• They claim that popular people use the

product.• They show “successful” people using the

product.

Advertisements don’t include all the dangers associated with using tobacco or alcohol.

You and your partner are now going to create your own advertisement to try to convince people not to start smoking or

drinking. Use the same strategies the tobacco and alcohol companies use to create your advertisement.

You Have the Power

• Companies that sell tobacco and alcohol have 1 goal—to get you to buy and use their products.

• You have the power to choose not to be manipulated by these companies.