People aged 16 think they're indestructable, so I'm not sure all the "you might get cancer" stuff would work.
I've got to say I'm amazed people still smoke - that is to say younger people still do, as it must be one of the uncoolest, most "old people habit" things anyone can do.
But people think they look "big and hard" by doing it.
Fact is, there are very few adult smokers in their 30's, 40's who actually
enjoy smoking, and next to none who think it's "cool" or fashionable to do so. They morelike just wish they hadn't to begin with, but it's become a bit of a habit, something to do, but one which in the grand scheme of things isn't doing THAT much harm - it's not like they're injecting heroin is it.
What might work to anyone, is to go observe in town the smokers. Look outside the pubs and bingo halls, and the rows of smokers stood outside aren't the young and fashionable in the main, they are rows of middle aged to old, usually boot faced unhappy looking people (The happier smokers have more dignity than to stand outside a bingo hall). There have been instances of busloads of teenagers shouting out the window "you sad bastards" - something the pro smoking lobby could see coming when they protested about the making illegal of smoking rooms at work.
Another thing - have a look at any of the online dating sites, you will see profile after profile of people who insist their partner "must not be a smoker".
Taking this up is akin to taking up listening to Max Bygraves records or digging an allotment - very old person, but do it and you get hooked quite quickly. Tobacco is a weird thing, it doesn't really do much when smoking it, it isn't like smoking pot, but heck, once you stop, you really want another so badly you just have to have one.
I've nothing at all against smokers, funny thing is, smoke doesn't bother me. I wouldn't kiss a heavy smoker in a million years
Think on this though, I was only ever a light/social smoker. It took me three solid days of insomnia and shivering, and a further 12 years to stop wanting one