Final answer:
An anti-smoking ad that only shows negative consequences but does not provide quit-smoking information will likely cause cognitive dissonance, as it doesn't assist viewers in overcoming the habit despite their awareness of the risks. The correct answer is option: a. create cognitive dissonance in viewers.
Step-by-step explanation:
An anti-smoking advertisement that features photographs of diseased lungs, people using oxygen tanks, and funerals but lacks information about quitting smoking may be ineffective because it will probably create cognitive dissonance in viewers. Cognitive dissonance occurs when an individual's beliefs are inconsistent with their behaviors, such as knowing the harms of smoking but continuing to smoke. To alleviate this dissonance, a person might change their behavior by quitting smoking or alter their beliefs by rationalizing their smoking habits. Educational programs that only highlight the negative health impacts of smoking without providing information or resources to quit may not be persuasive enough because many smokers are already aware of the harm and continue to smoke.
Moreover, without a clear call to action or support for quitting smoking, the advertisement misses the opportunity to guide smokers towards behavior change. Public programs and anti-smoking campaigns that include tools to quit are necessary to shift the inelastic demand for cigarettes and reduce smoking rates significantly.