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Cigarette package labeling

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 639

I am in favor of the new, proposed packaging. Young, open minds are impressionable. Similar to the representations from the 1940-60's that glorified the act and effects of smoking.....from cowboys to even doctors.....the same can be accomplished, over time, with the new messages that illustrates the damage caused by smoking.

Government is not in a position to eliminate smoking any more than eliminating illegal drugs or gun sales. It is in double jeopardy due to the heavy taxation that provides state, local and federal revenue from those that choose to smoke. Just like nicotine preys on the addict's brain....the government preys upon the smoker's wallet.....

Keep the Quit,

Dave

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14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 653

So, there is a study in the US that recently (Oct.) found that the graphic images on cigarette packages "may not deter smoking". However, the article cites a Canadian study (much smaller, and from 6 years ago) which reported that the images did influence smokers to cut down.

Do you think it's worth keeping those images on packaging? What was your experience? When the average person starts smoking, are those images just too surreal to have an impact?

Reference

Disease images may not deter smoking, Study shows, Dec. 7, 2010, from Bloomberg.com

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14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 150

I despise the cigaratte warnings. When I was smoking, it just stressed me out more. This, in turn, just made me smoke more. It was a vicious cycle

Scare tactics didn't work for me. I knew all the negative effects of smoking and yet I still kept smoking. I think the Canadian gov't should try a new approach

~Alice

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 221

Ojmas,

Your thoughts are not crazy at all. I think we've all thought about a world with no cigarettes and wondered, if they do us so much harm, why does the government still allow them to be sold.

Members, what are your thoughts?

Helena, Health Educator

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 70

I don't know if this will really work. We smokers already feel bad enough but it is an addiction afterall. I think it would be better if cigg makers would stop producing ciggs or create one without nicotine. Am I crazy?

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 653

Following in the footsteps of some other countries, the Canadian government is looking into creating more hard-hitting cigarette packages, with stronger images and warnings. According to research, warning labels with pictures are 60 times more effective than with only text. Also, the pictures would take up a greater percentage of the package label. The hope is that this will deter new smokers and also educate current smokers of the ill health effects of cigarette smoke on themselves and others.

There are some plans in the U.S. to follow suit. The percentage of smokers in Canada and the U.S. is similar, about 25%.

Tobacco companies are of course resisting these measures.

Members, any thoughts on this strategy? How have package labels effected your smoking or your awareness of the negative effects?

Reference

Canada Tries Tough Smoking Labels, Retrieved on Nov. 22, 2010 from http://preventdisease.com/news/articles/canadas_tough_smoking_labels.shtml

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