Will new shock images stop smokers?

This week, graphic pictures will appear on cigarette packets in the UK warning about the dangers of smoking.

The UK is the first European country to introduce such images, which will include pictures of a tumour, heart surgery and a diseased lung.

The BHF doesn’t steer shy of using shock tactics to get our message across. Our recent chest pains awareness campaign includes violent scenes depicting the symptoms of a heart attack.

Maura Gillespie, Head of Policy and Public Affairs at the BHF, said: “We believe the graphic picture warnings on cigarette packets will provide a further incentive for smokers to think again before reaching for their cigarette packets.

“There is evidence that they can help more smokers quit and prevent others from starting in the first place. Our ‘fatty cigarette’ campaign clearly demonstrated the value of hard hitting imagery.”

If you want to give up smoking, help and information is available at http://www.bhf.org.uk/smoking

Listen to our giving up smoking podcast

What you think about using graphic images to encourage people to quit smoking? Post a comment on the blog.

Bloggers bare all in debate on our sex and swimming poster

Our inclusion (and others) in the Top 10 Most Complained About Adverts of 2007 - as compiled by the Advertising Standards Authority in its latest annual report and blogged here yesterday - has stirred some vigorous debate over on Guardian Unlimited.

As we posted yesterday, our sex and swimming advert - to promote the exercise message of our 30 a Day campaign last year - attracted 122 complaints from the public, taking it to number 7 in the Top 10 list and sparking much debate.

"Who actually wastes their life complaining about adverts? Seriously, how could anyone be offended by the British Heart Foundation ad above? Religious types can choose to believe that the couple above are married if they are worried about adultery or something," posts 'RightWingGit' on the Guardian's Comment Is Free blog

"The British Heart Foundation ad is great: natural, warm and normal," writes 'dholliday'.

And 'Dotterel' adds: "I don't see the problem with the BHF one, surely objecting to that is a bit like objecting to an ad encouraging running in case someone goes running through a dodgy neighbourhood in the dark and gets mugged?

"If it was the blokes bare a*** there are far worse examples to get worked up about, unless it was the fact it was a blokes? I also have to admit to being a bit old fashioned and assuming the couple on the BHF ad were married!"

Perhaps the last word goes to 'hyperchild': "I remember the British Heart Foundation ad campaign because I found it so ridiculous. While displaying a very lovely warm image of an older couple, its message is quite patronising.

"Instructing people to have sex for the sake of getting exercise, wtf? a) Not all people have sex in the same way (sex isn't just confined to one act anyway) and b)sex isn't just continuous motion. Thus it's not a replacement for actial aerobic exercise - walking, running, cycling - which your heart needs. Being instructed to have sex by a charity-sponsored billboard is just wrong."

Join the debate and have your say on the Most Complained About Adverts of 2007

Our sexy seaside advert is 7th most complained about

Do you remember our campaign advert last year which featured a semi-naked man (he is actually wearing his swimming hat and goggles) and a woman in her swimming costume and hat, cuddling on the beach?

We ran it on billboards and in newspapers across the nation to make you aware that both 30 minutes of swimming (and sex) each day can be beneficial for your heart health, along with other exertions such as gardening, walking the dog, vacuuming and washing the car.

Unfortunately not everyone saw it that way, and our saucy seaside swimming poster was the 7th most complained about advert of 2007. According to the Advertising Standards Authority's new annual report, the ad generated 122 complaints from the public.

Our Head of Communications David Barker explains the thinking behind the advert...

“We are living in a world where we are bombarded with advertisers trying to grab our attention. To be successful, advertising needs to cut through the clutter and make a real impact.

“At the BHF we create high impact advertising that works. What some people see as controversial, others see as a welcome wake up call. Our 30-a-Day campaign has seen nearly 40,000 people request further information to help them get active and reduce their risk of developing heart disease.

“BHF adverts are designed to help save lives, not insult people. Previous hard hitting BHF advertising campaigns have helped thousands to give up smoking, encouraged children to think about what they eat and helped save lives by informing people about the symptoms of a heart attack.

"Our aim is to continue to produce successful and award winning advertising that helps save lives.”

To find out who also featured in the top 10 complaints check out the ASA's annual report

Alternatively, you can find out more about swimming, sex, gardening and other heart healthy pursuits on our special 30 a Day website