"This is what it cost me" ads = preachy & annoying

So if you watch TV or have rode in a NYC cab lately, you've probably been exposed to the gruesome TV spot featuring "Marie from the Bronx." The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene has decided to enlighten us to the dangers of smoking by profiling a worst case scenario.

Obviously, smoking is bad. It can cause cancer, asthma and make your hair and breath smell nasty. Although I never realized that it could enable you to require (multiple) finger amputations. So in that respect, I guess I've been enlightened by this new campaign.

But honestly, it's a bit disgusting to have this ad pop up on television (or in a cab) when I'm eating. It just makes me lose my appetite. It's also horribly depressing. I can watch the 5 o'clock news to get my daily dose of reality, I don't need to be bombarded with this type of information all day long, ESPECIALLY because I've never smoked, nor do I think I ever will.

I have one thing to say to whoever came up with this campaign: If you want your ads to be effective, put them on a TV right outside of any NYC office building. Play this ad right in front of the men and women who take 5-8 cigarette breaks a day (on the books) and see if you get any results. This way you'd be reaching your target audience and not preaching to the choir. Who's with me!?

For those of you not in NYC, you can check out the ads here: Marie from the Bronx.