There are lots of things I could talk about with New York State’s See Mary Quit campaign–I could complain about the fact that my tax dollars are going to this ridiculous thing, that they’re handing out “free” nicotine patches, that they seem to be conveniently forgetting that cigarettes are a completely legal personal choice (albeit a somewhat gross and very unhealthy one), I could even complain about the fact that, as a marketer, I can’t stand this commercial, I could talk about this damn campaign for hours.
But, I won’t…I’m going to limit myself to one particular “Watch Mary Quit” ad. You can listen to the ad here (click on Radio Commercial 3). This particular ad seems to promote a vice almost as bad as smoking…gambling. Last I checked, gambling, like smoking, can be addictive and can ruin lives, AND New York State also has a campaign to curb excessive gambling.
Look, I don’t really have a problem with moderate gambling. Like smoking, I believe it’s a personal choice…I just have a problem with the government getting involved with any of these vices–it’s just all the more absurd when they’re just promoting one over another.