Why No smoking signs actually ENCOURAGE smokers to light up

Why No smoking signs actually ENCOURAGE smokers to light up

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Why No smoking signs actually ENCOURAGE smokers to light up

The Daily Mail ^ | May 6, 2011 | Daily Mail Reporter

Posted on Sunday, May 08, 2011 9:19:28 AM by Tolerance Sucks Rocks

No smoking signs may be driving more people to light up, a psychological study suggests.

Scientists say the messages have an ‘ironic effect’ on smokers that increases their craving for tobacco.

Without being aware of it, they react to the signs by thinking of and wanting cigarettes.

‘You get ironic effects when you couple information that people perceive with negation,’ said researcher Brian Earp, from Oxford University.

‘When I say “don’t think of a pink elephant”, I’ve just put the thought of a pink elephant in your head.

via BLOGGER: GUNNY.G.1984.+: Why No smoking signs actually ENCOURAGE smokers to light up.

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