New Cigarette Warning Labels

In September 2012, if all goes as planned, cigarette companies will have to place graphic warning labels on their packaging. Considering it has been 25 plus years since there has been any change in these labels, it seems to be time for this to happen.

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) sees this change as important, as they state that “Tobacco use is the leading cause of premature and preventable death in the United States, and claims almost half a million lives each year. Requiring larger, more prominent warnings on cigarette packaging and advertisements is part of a broader strategy to help tobacco users quit and prevent young people from starting.”

The intent of this new type of graphic warning is pretty straightforward, as we Americans have turned into a visual society. As a people, we respond to pictures much more readily than to written warnings. For example, one of the new warnings shows a man with a lit cigarette in hand, and smoke coming out a hole in his neck. One can certainly infer that the hole resulted from the removal of the voice box, almost always due to cancer caused by cigarette smoking.

Although many agree that preventing children from starting to smoke (or aiding smokers to stop this dangerous habit) is legitimate, a recent ruling by a judge may place the roll out of these new ads in jeopardy. In a recent email from Corporate Accountability International, they profess, “A U.S. District Judge sided with Big Tobacco in its lawsuit against the FDA for requiring graphic health warning labels on cigarette packages. If this ruling stands, it would deal a major blow to public health and corporate accountability in the United States and around the world.”

In the email, the group asks citizens to contact President Obama about this turn of events. As part of their campaign to alert the President about the negative impact of this ruling, they include a letter that says in part, “It is important that the FDA implement measures to strengthen warning labels on tobacco products by requiring graphic health information labels on 50 percent of the top half of the front and back of tobacco product packaging, to protect public health and set an example for countries around the world working hard to advance tobacco control policies in the face of strong arm industry tactics.”

These nine new warning labels can be viewed on the FDA’s website. They discuss both the addictive properties of nicotine, as well as the dangers of second-hand smoke. One of the most vivid labels shows a picture of a deceased individual, a recent surgical scar covering his entire chest area. Another one shows an infant who had been negatively affected in the womb because of smoking.

Time will tell if the labels will be implemented. Certainly, this ruling may have an impact on the 9/12 projected date; however, the FDA will continue to work towards making sure these ads become a reality.

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