Spreading the Message:
Don’t Get Burnt!
Focusing on the consequences of dealing with illegal cigarettes, Singapore Customs’ latest anti-contraband public outreach campaign “Don’t Get Burnt” employs a wide range of traditional and new media platforms as well as creative outreach strategies to reach greater levels of public awareness.
Unadorned except for the iconic image of a cigarette burn mark, a mysterious truck roving around the island first made its appearance in August 2010, attracting attention and sparking curious discussions from netizens on STOMP and in the local newspapers.
The truck’s full meaning was eventually unveiled when it was transformed into a full-fledged mobile roadshow stage at Causeway Point in October 2010 for the “Don’t Get Burnt” campaign roadshow launch, the latest in Singapore Customs’ ongoing efforts against contraband cigarettes.
A metaphor for the harmful consequences of dealing with illegal cigarettes, the campaign’s burn mark icon and tagline “Don’t Get Burnt” seek to warn the public about the dangers and stiff penalties for activities involving duty-unpaid cigarettes as well as to foster a greater sense of civic responsibility. Members of public are encouraged to report any illegal cigarette activities to avoid getting “burnt” by them.
Public outreach continues to be a key focus in Singapore Customs’ anticontraband efforts. “While we have achieved some success in eradicating illegal cigarettes, having the collective will from the public to say no to illegal cigarettes is the long-term sustainable solution to win this fight against illegal cigarettes,” said Mr Fong Yong Kian, Director-General of Singapore Customs.
DRIVING HOME THE MESSAGE
Doubling as both a fully-equipped stage and an exhibition area fitted with informative panels for the public to learn about the dangers of illegal cigarettes, the iconic “Don’t Get Burnt” truck is at the heart of the campaign’s series of 25 public outreach roadshows, which ends in July 2011.
Besides adding a more interesting dimension, the customised vehicle allows for greater mobility, giving the roadshows an even wider demographic reach with scheduled stops at polytechnics, student and foreign worker dormitories, and various heartland areas.
Encouraged by positive feedback since their debut in 2009, these public outreach roadshows have been further enhanced to provide a conducive, interactive platform for Singapore Customs to engage with the community and to promote the campaign’s key messages on an individual basis.
During the launch and subsequent roadshows, participants are invited to take part in educational games with the chance to win prizes. Fun activities such as “Wheel of Knowledge”, “Shoot and Win” and the familiar favourite “Spot the Difference” are given a twist to convey the key messages concerning illegal cigarette and their harmful consequences.
WHACK A PEDDLER
Launched in November 2010, “Whack a Peddler” is a web-based game that takes a fun, innovative approach to bring across the anti-contraband cigarette message to the cyber generation.
Reaffirming the campaign’s key idea of “Don’t Get Burnt”, the gameplay and rules are simple: locate and click to hurl a slipper at any illegal cigarette peddler loitering on the screen to score points.
“Whack a Peddler” can be found on the official Singapore Custom Facebook page.
ADOPTING A HOLISTIC APPROACH
While the direct community engagement of the mobile roadshows lends a human touch in encouraging public cooperation and support, Singapore Customs also employs the use of traditional media to effectively communicate the campaign’s key messages to the wider public.
“Don’t Get Burnt” anti-contraband cigarette commercials will air on free-to-air and cable television, radio networks and in local cinemas over various periods during the year-long campaign. Outdoor and newspaper print advertisements bearing the iconic burn mark visual will also convey the “Don’t Get Burnt” public advisory messages.
Bringing its public awareness efforts to the next level, Singapore Customs has further reached out to potential risk groups online. Members of the public are invited to visit the campaign’s website, www.dontgetburnt.sg, for more information on issues involving illegal cigarettes, campaign news updates as well as access to free educational games.
Public outreach efforts are paying off. Since 2009, increased public awareness and enforcement efforts have contributed to a 30.4% decrease in the number of illegal cigarette buyers caught. A significant number of public tip-offs have also resulted in a greater number of peddlers arrested.
Before the launch of the campaign, anti-illegal cigarette “ambassadors” took to the streets at Raffles Place and Woodlands wearing t-shirts with the same burn mark.
Meanwhile, paper slips were also handed out to smokers printed with an enigmatic telephone number. Curious callers discovered that it led to a public education message, highlighting the dangers of dealing with illegal cigarettes.
 |
 |
|
inSIGHT
Features
Updates
Inside Customs
Copyright © 2011 Singapore Customs. All Rights Reserved.
Best viewed at 1024 x 768 resolution with IE 7.0 or FireFox 2.0 and above.
