Our Work

Philadelphia Department of Public Health

Tobacco Prevention Media Services

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MEE was hired by the Philadelphia Department of Public Health to support its tobacco use prevention efforts. The work was part of Get Healthy Philly, a groundbreaking initiative to prevent obesity and smoking via policy, systems and environmental changes. The media campaign promoted quitting among Philadelphia smokers ages 30-50 within low-income populations. Of the ten largest U.S. cities, Philadelphia had the highest prevalence of adult smoking (25%), as well as high levels of youth smoking. Among the six largest U.S. cities, Philadelphia had the highest rate of death from lung cancer.

MEE also worked on second-hand smoke media campaign that emphasized quitting smoking to reduce effects on others, particularly children. MEE continued to provide planning, ad modification, media buying (print and TV) and account management services. MEE also launched a “Tips Series” of television ads that used graphic reminders of the hazard of smoking. These television ads ran on 12 Comcast cable stations: VH1, BET, Comcast Sports, FX, True TV, Cartoon Network, Discovery, History, TV Land (TVL), SyFy, Entertainment and Lifetime. This effort also targeted adult smokers (ages 25-44) who have young children.