Mass media is a significant force in modern culture, particularly in

Malaysia. Sociologists refer to this as a mediated culture where media reflects

and creates the culture. Communities and individuals are bombarded constantly

with messages of smoking from multiple sources including TV, billboards, and

magazines. These messages are not only promote cigarettes, but moods,

attitudes, and a sense of what is and is not important. Researchers have found

that teens who see photographs of friends smoking on social media are more

likely to do so themselves.

To stop the media influence, the federal agency has to develop and place

paid advertisements for a national tobacco education campaign. The ads will

feature emotionally powerful stories of former smokers living with smoking-

related diseases and disabilities. The campaign also encourages people to call 1-

800-QUIT-NOW, a toll-free number to access quit support across the country, or

visit a quit-assistance website. Mass media campaigns to promote quitting are

important investments as part of comprehensive tobacco control program to

educate about the harms of smoking, set the agenda for discussion, change

smoking attitudes and beliefs, increase quitting intentions and quit attempts, and

reduce adult smoking prevalence.