Are graphic anti-smoking ads effective?

HOLYOKE, Mass. (WWLP) - Anti-smoking ads that show you the real consequences of smoking.  They seem to be working and now the government is planning to make more.

You may have seen some of these commercials before-- anti-smoking ads showing diseased smokers and how the habit has drastically changed their health and their lives.

The Centers for Disease Control say the campaign is really working-- and many people agree.

“I think they discourage. They're a little weird but I think it hits home. Nobody wants to look like that. It's pretty bad,” said Zach Dunne of West Springfield.

“they work in the sense that they grab your attention. You see weird commercials and they stick in your mind,” said Jason Bastia of South Hadley.

“If a little kid sees it on TV, it's kind of scary for them. But for kids our age I think it's okay. Teaches us a good lesson,” said Francesca Depergola of West Springfield.

The CDC says the commercials generated 192,000 extra calls to their national toll free quit line.  Although, they have no way of knowing how many callers have actually quit. 

“I don't think they have that much effect. 3152 I just think people that want to smoke, smoke. People that see those graphics, it really doesn't have an effect if they're a smoker,” said Glenn Jobson of Wilbraham.

That's true for one woman who didn't want to talk on camera.  She told 22News she's smoked for decades and doesn't care about the ads. But despite how smokers or non smokers feel about the ads, the CDC is confident in the campaign and bringing more of the commercials to a TV near you.