PSA reveals bizarre new reason not to smoke

Anti-smoking ads have a knack for reducing even the strong-stomached among us into grimacing, eye-shielding heaps. 

Even non-smokers would be hard-pressed keeping their eyes open through the graphic 30-second PSAs that infiltrate our favourite programs. These TV spots are designed to make us squirm, because a circus show of former models and cheerleaders who've lost toes or voice-boxes to the nasty addiction is sure to leave a lasting impression, right?

But do we always need to resort to fear tactics to drive the anti-smoking message home?

A recent U.S. commercial targeted at teens has taken a bold step away from the stomach-churning anti-smoking horror genre we've become accustomed to, and critics are applauding its message, told with humour and without a hint of fear mongering.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have spent the better part of 2015 aggressively campaigning to reduce the number of teenagers, in particular those aged between 12 and 17, from acquiring a tobacco habit.

Called "The Real Cost," some of the campaign's commercials have taken a refreshingly different, albeit slightly bizarre, approach to encouraging teens to say "No" when confronted with the temptation to smoke.

The latest of the ads to cause a stir in online forums depict two teenage girls sitting on bleachers, with one girl asking the other: "Do you want a smoke?" 

The offer is declined, initially without revealing why until pressed by her friend, and that's when things get weird and a little bit brilliant.

Watch the video above for her completely awesome response.