219,000 Cigarettes – A Smoking Hot Installation

I don’t smoke, but I don’t have anything against anyone who does. I smoked when I was attending University, but when I graduated and moved away, suddenly it wasn’t fun anymore. About five years ago, I was at a party and in the mood for a cigarette. I took two puffs and puked for two days. Needless to say, I won’t be smoking again for a while. :)

Last week, at Martin Place in central Sydney, PR agency One Green Bay covered the floor with an installation made from 219,000 imitation cigarettes. This number represents the number of cigarettes a 20-per-day smoker consumes over the span of 30 years. It’s hard to see in the pictures, but the cigarettes are covered with a transparent panel, which is why you see people walking on top of them.

It was strategically placed in a spot where many people enjoy their cigarette break. The purpose of this display was to raise awareness about how dangerous smoking is, and of course to encourage people to stop smoking, even if they have to seek professional help to do it. I’m usually not a fan of these “in your face” kind of messages, but I like this one. The reflections and serenity that these pictures portray actually make the cigarettes look beautiful. I guess their marketing didn’t work on me, but since I don’t smoke anyway, it doesn’t really matter.

Thanks for the pictures! http://www.zimbio.com