by The new, visual, warning labels on cigarette packs are both alarming and necessary. The graphic images demonstrate the results of smoking on the body, and if we ever hope to become a wholly healthy nation, we need to fight our tobacco addiction.
Here are some of the reasons behind the visual warnings from the FDA:
- Tobacco use is the leading preventable cause of death; this year approximately 5 million persons worldwide will die from tobacco-related heart attacks, strokes, cancers, and other diseases. In the United States, that number is approximately 443,000.
- Health warnings on cigarette packages prompt smokers to think about quitting, according to a 14-nation study. Effective warning labels as a component of comprehensive tobacco control can help save lives by reducing tobacco use.
- More than 90% of men and women cigarette smokers 12 of the 14 countries reported noticing a package warning in the last 30 days.
- The other two countries are India (78.4%) and Mexico (83.5%).
- Among smokers who noticed a warning, the percentage thinking of quitting because of the warning was greater than 50% in six of the countries: Bangladesh, Brazil, India, Thailand, Ukraine and Viet Nam.
We are visual animals.
We believe our eyes over our ears.
Will these new cigarette pack warnings make a difference in our national smoking addiction? Or will they just wither away to become part of the blurred landscape of overwhelming artifacts raking for our attention?
If we hope to continue to be a smart country, we need to be proactive in protecting our health — and that means removing meaningless crutches, like cigarettes, from our common minds.
Why are we a slave to tobacco and smoke? Why do we need nicotine as part of our daily routine?
If we become vigilant in asking the right questions, we can begin the slow eradication of cigarettes from our lives and begin to celebrate the gift of fresh lungs and clean air for everyone.
I hope it motivates people to quit but I know people that look at these signs several times a day (living in New York does that) and still smoke, sadly
I agree. I think the images will quickly become numb for the nicotine addict.
I enjoy your blog. Your post on INTJ was a good description of who we (I am a female INTJ) are.
Thank you, Susan! It is quite fine to have you with us!
This is great! Now we need to start putting pictures of big fat people on cereal boxes and sodas and that would help too.
That actually isn’t a bad idea.
Good idea for stopping the casual smoker, the hardened puffer will probably not be put off.
I could care less what you put on the pack! I already put mine in a case anyway. I also think you should put fat people on twinkies and drunks on beer cans while you are at it!
Yes, I agree. It makes sense!
If someone want’s to do harm to their body, let them… I need a smoke =.=’
Love the blog, by the way.
I resemble these remarks. 🙁
Uh-oh! That doesn’t sound good!
I can’t believe that we focus on smoking in order to achieve a “wholly healthy nation”. The amount of pollution being pumped into the oceans and the air by big factories is much more of a concern to me than the individuals desire to smoke. I believe the powers that be love it when individuals persecute each other and turn a blind eye to the larger problems. Yes keep attacking smokers while companies like BP spill oil into our oceans. Put a picture of an oil spill showing the devastation of animal life and the environment on every automobile. I do not own a car for because I see cars as a much bigger problem in the world than any person smoking cigarettes.
I think you need to prioritize.
I think you’re missing the direct correlation. Smoking cigarettes results in quantifiable health problems like cancer and emphysema. Driving a car doesn’t result in an oil spill.