Quit Victoria anti-smoking ad draws controversy..

April 5, 2009 - Fiona Sharkie, executive director of Quit Victoria, the child in the ad known by his first name, Alexander, is shown standing alone in a train station while separated from his mother. The mother in the ad, identified as Annette, is Alexander’s real-life mom.

When he loses sight of his mother, his look of puzzlement turns into abject fear as tears roll down his face. A voice-over then says, “This is how your child feels after losing you for a minute. Just imagine if they lost you for life.”

Reference: Child in ad shed real tears, producer admits Anti-smoking agency says his anxiety only lasted a few seconds by Mike Celizic, TODAYShow.com contributor, 4/3/2009.