You’ve probably heard some of the buzz over the FDA’s proposed cigarette warning labels. The Tobacco Control Act says that cigarette packs and cartons must have larger and more visible graphic health warnings than what we in the US of A have been seeing. I’ve seen pretty brutal warning labels in Europe for years, but ours have always been pretty gentle. Have a look at ten of the new proposed labels (If you’re squeamish, sorry for graphic nature.):
What do you think, Americans? Everybody else? Are the pictures too much? Are these too “mean?” Will they work – get people to think twice and put down the pack? Maybe they’re still too kind. I want to hear your opinions…
We’ve had these sorts of ads here in Australia for quite a while, but ours are more graphic – with TV ads to match (think pictures of a foot with gangrene about to be amputated!) Our regulations sound something similar to Canada – no visible packets at sale points etc. Whether any of this has helped, I’m not sure, but in the last couple of years they have basically banned smoking indoors in public areas (bars, clubs, shopping centres) and have recently banned smoking in cars with children in the vehicle. All good moves I say – it has to make a difference to the health of so many people, not just the smoker themselves.
Smoking kills and it is a problem in society. I think we should do all we can to make them hard to sell. If one person looks at that and it makes them put down the pack forever, then great.
In other countries, the ads have cartoon characters on them and other things aimed at kids. And in other countries, the problem of smoking is worse — well I’m just going by Europe and China where I’ve been, but it is a problem there. I don’t kow if there is a literal connection — but I think the government regulations help.
i think most smokers already know the harm they do to themselves and others. it takes a self motivation that only they can provide to themselves to want to really quit. i was a smoker for a while and it is hard and i still sometimes get the craving, but i won’t. i do think the ads will do well with preventing NEW smokers from smoking, which is better than nothing. ..and no, i don’t think they are too harsh at all.
I was a smoker for many years and I’m now a non-smoker for many years. Smokers know what can happen but are very much in the “won’t happen to me” mindset. I know what the “secret” to quitting is, but it happens in your brain when the positives of quitting finally overcome the addiction and fear of quitting.
I think we’ve had this kind of thing for a while here (can’t be sure, never smoked, never known a lot of smokers)… is it effective, who knows? Then again, isn’t it in the US that they have peeps in the streets with images of aborted foetuses and slaughtered animals?
I think they’re great. We’ve had some pretty harsh ones in Canada for years now, and the stats have gone down. New for us now is that cigarettes are not allowed to be visible in stores. They’re kept behind mini walls or under counters so that kids can’t even see them. As long as the packaging scares one kid into not trying the first cigarette, it’s worth it.
Definitely not too mean – people need to be aware of what they’re doing to themselves! Maybe it’s still not enough.
I seen this on the news. They keep making changes on this. They have spent who knows how much money changing all the labels to COLORS instead of lights and all the new fire safety filters and now this.I don’t smoke and I know it’s harmful to EVERYONE. I guess if these new labels help make our kids think twice before smoking, then it’s a good idea.
I think tobacco addiction is one of the hardest to kick and even when packs are $50 each people will smoke. I’ve never smoked but I love food and I can eat a pint of ice cream while watching The Biggest Loser and just like a smoker say “that will never happen to me.”
I don’t know if it’ll work, but I definintely don’t think they’re too harsh. HI, btw! New to your blog. I’m actually from Lexington (small world!) but moved to New Haven, CT!
hahaha I know, right? They’re a little disturbing, but I think that’s what they’re going for.
Do you guys think they’ll work?
Duuuuude.
Er, sorry. That’s not very well thought out, is it?
Just…duuude.