What the The Real Cost TV commercial - Nicotine Addiction Isnt Pretty: Athletics is about.

The Real Cost is a campaign by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) aimed at educating youth on the dangers of tobacco use. One of their TV spots, titled "Nicotine Addiction Isn't Pretty: Athletics," features a young athlete named Jake, who is depicted as a symbol of resilience and determination.

The commercial starts with Jake running on a track while the narrator talks about how much dedication and hard work goes into becoming an athlete. However, the scene quickly shifts to show Jake's true struggle: he is seen coughing and gasping for air due to his addiction to tobacco.

As the commercial progresses, the viewer sees that Jake's addiction to tobacco is not only affecting his physical health but also his performance on the track. He is no longer the fast runner he used to be, and he's visually fatigued and struggling to keep up with the other runners.

The viewer is then presented with stark images of how smoking affects the lungs, with a close-up of a smoker's lungs turning black and collapsing. The narrator explains that this is what happens to a smoker's lungs after years of smoking.

In the end, Jake who was previously shown coughing and struggling to breathe is seen throwing away his cigarette, taking a deep breath, and running towards the finish line. The narrator emphasizes that quitting is hard, but it's worth it and encourages the viewer to take the first step towards quitting tobacco.

The Real Cost TV Spot, "Nicotine Addiction Isn't Pretty: Athletics" is a powerful reminder of the detrimental effects of tobacco use and nicotine addiction. It highlights the importance of maintaining good physical health, but also emphasizes the choices one can make to quit tobacco and take positive steps towards a healthier life.

The Real Cost TV commercial - Nicotine Addiction Isnt Pretty: Athletics produced for The Real Cost was first shown on television on March 8, 2021.