[Monique]

The FDA released nine new graphics that have to cover 50% of the pack by 2013. What do you think?

Here are a few of the milder ones:

Here's the FDA link:

* WARNING: Some of the graphics are pretty graphic! *

http://www.fda.gov/TobaccoProducts/Labeling/CigaretteWarningLabels/default.htm

 

[kCopeseeley]

Call me a cynic (my husband certainly does...) but doesn't everyone who needs to know how bad smoking is already know?  Don't we put up enough PSAs?  Aren't there enough talks in school?  This seems like a waste of time.

Or maybe it's like regular ads, where you have to see something a gazillion times before it finally clicks in your mind.

 

[tsilver]

I think the new warning labels are a good thing.  Both my sister and daughter were heavy smokers and both died of lung cancer.  I was a witness to their suffering during the last years of their lives and I think of them especially when I see young people smoking--knowing what might be in their future.  I had been a heavy smoker myself and I know how hard it is to quit.  I have a great deal of sympathy for smokers who may feel they're being constantly hounded and persecuted for a habit they picked up when there wasn't wide knowledge of smoking's harmful effects--a time when smoking was considered glamorous.  

 

[geoffthomas]

I am afraid that some of the kids will see a couple of the ads as being "goth" - like the one with the breathing hole - and go out of their way to get the packs with those pics.
A new kind of cool, ya know?


Just sayin......

 

[Carol (was Dara)]

I'm not sure how much good they'll do because I think everyone is already aware smoking causes health problems. Still, I suppose knowing and seeing aren't the same thing, so they may discourage a small number of people. I'll bet the tobacco companies aren't pleased at having to put these all over their packaging.

 

[swolf]

I think they're ridiculous and a perfect example of government overstepping its bounds.

What's next? Pictures of fat people on McDonald's milkshakes?

 

[Ilyria Moon]

The government rely on the taxes from smokers; they don't want anyone to quit at all. Besides, smokers don't pay any attention to them.

Perhaps if the government stopped putting fluoride in the water supply, with a view to adding lithium too, or stopped geo-engineering with barium and aluminium, or stopped injecting infants with mercury and aborted foetal tissue, I'd think they really gave a fig about public health. Same way I don't believe the FDA care about public health, when they have McDonald's as advisors.

It is well documented by many (including Gates, Rothschilds, Rockerfellers etc) that the target of governments (or who they work for, and it's not us) is to depopulate the globe by 80% or more, so when they poison the populus and create diseases to not only bring about said reduction, but also to create vast wealth for the big banks and pharmaceutical industry, it's clear to me this is just more show, no pony.

 

[Monique]

 

[kCopeseeley]

What's next? Pictures of fat people on McDonald's milkshakes?

Hahahaha That would be hilarious! Sorry, I know it's a serious argument, but I just pictured it in my mind!

 

[tsilver]

I think I was finally able to get off cigarettes after about six attempts is because I'm basically a pessimist.  I was certain cancer would get me.  I think many people who continue smoking despite all the warnings are optimists, thinking cancer won't happen to them or they think they'll get a warning and will be able to quit in time.

 

[Ilyria Moon]

I think I was finally able to get off cigarettes after about six attempts is because I'm basically a pessimist. I was certain cancer would get me. I think many people who continue smoking despite all the warnings are optimists, thinking cancer won't happen to them or they think they'll get a warning and will be able to quit in time.

I like smoking.

It's my only vice. I don't smoke cigarettes; just loose organic tobacco. All my food is GM-free and organic, I take regular exercise, and attend to my spiritual health. Indigenous tribes have smoked for millennia. When my time's up, it's up. To be honest, knowing the plans world leaders have for the next ten years, I'd be happy to ascend before that!

 

[Amanda Brice]

It is well documented by many (including Gates, Rothschilds, Rockerfellers etc) that the target of governments (or who they work for, and it's not us) is to depopulate the globe by 80% or more

*flipping through employment handbook*

Hmmm...I'm a government employee, and I don't remember this mission statement anywhere in my employee orientation sessions...

As for the new warning labels, I agree that most people already know smoking is harmful, yet they do it anyway (or can't quit for whatever reason). So I'm not so sure how effective it will be. That being said, anything that discourages smoking is A-OK with me. It's a filthy disgusting habit and so unhealthy.

 

[Ilyria Moon]

*flipping through employment handbook*

Hmmm...I'm a government employee, and I don't remember this mission statement anywhere in my employee orientation sessions...

As for the new warning labels, I agree that most people already know smoking is harmful, yet they do it anyway (or can't quit for whatever reason). So I'm not so sure how effective it will be. That being said, anything that discourages smoking is A-OK with me. It's a filthy disgusting habit and so unhealthy.

Well, the information is available everywhere if you open your eyes and look for it. It's not hidden; it's in public documents. Dictators rely on apathy and democracy is simply a buzz word. Two other words: Public apathy.

 

[Bogbuilder]

As a male, I always make a special effort to buy the ones marked 'smoking while pregnant can harm your baby', cos they seem the safest ones for me.

 

[Amanda Brice]

I love conspiracy theories. And particularly love being told I'm part of a gov't conspiracy. That's particularly awesome. Thanls for that.

 

[Monique]

Some rejected labels from HuffPost:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/06/21/rejected-cigarette-warnings_n_881527.html#s295886

 

[NapCat (retired)]

The money spent on a labeling program should be used in education programs aimed at the same potential smokers that the tobacco companies are  targeting. (Youth)

 

[Coral Moore]

They remind me of Canadian cigarette labels now. I don't understand why they think it will help no matter how big or ugly the graphic is. *shrug* People quit when they want to.

 

[PG4003 (Patricia)]

Then why don't they put pictures of people with liver disease on alcohol and beer containers?  Pictures of obese people on almost ALL the food we eat in restaurants?  Obesity and alcohol cause many deaths every year too.

 

[AnnetteL]

I'd like to think they'd make a difference, but I doubt they will--unless it prevents someone from starting to smoke. Someone who already smokes won't stop because of the new labels.

My BIL used to work for an ad agency that got government money for the creation of anti-tobacco campaigns. They were really fun to see--very creative--but I always wondered if they did any good.