New FDA Cigarette Warnings More Graphic, Disturbing
In an attempt to scare and guilt people away from cigarettes, the FDA has unveiled new warning labels that are much more graphic and disturbing than previous warnings.
We're all familiar with the traditional health warnings on cigarette packages, even if you've never smoked a cigarette. Some of us will recall the old school television warnings from the surgeon general along with more recent television campaigns railing against the dangers of smoking cigarettes. Now, the FDA is taking a page out of the playbook of European nations who have stepped up the imagery associated with cigarette warning labels.
In addition to the standard dire warnings about the risks and consequences of smoking, now the images will include a cadaver with a zippered chest, a man with a breathing mask on and a close-up of someone's rotted teeth. All of this is designed to take the anti-tobacco message to a new level of in-your-face impact. Of course, in order for most people to get the full effect of the message, they'll probably have to purchase a pack of cigarettes. At that point, the horse may have already left the barn, so to speak.
R.J. Reynolds and other cigarette manufacturers are preparing to challenge the new warning labels in court, arguing that they are intentionally demonizing the company's product, which is of course still entirely legal to purchase and consume. Many anti-smoking advocacy groups have spoken out in support of the new warning labels, but one still has to question the government's ultimate intent with such a campaign. If the government doesn't want you to smoke, shouldn't they simply ban the sale or possession of cigarettes? And when are similar warning labels coming for alcohol? Given the inconsistencies in the way the two products are treated, it's clear that there's much more to the story than most Americans realize.
In addition to the standard dire warnings about the risks and consequences of smoking, now the images will include a cadaver with a zippered chest, a man with a breathing mask on and a close-up of someone's rotted teeth. All of this is designed to take the anti-tobacco message to a new level of in-your-face impact. Of course, in order for most people to get the full effect of the message, they'll probably have to purchase a pack of cigarettes. At that point, the horse may have already left the barn, so to speak.
R.J. Reynolds and other cigarette manufacturers are preparing to challenge the new warning labels in court, arguing that they are intentionally demonizing the company's product, which is of course still entirely legal to purchase and consume. Many anti-smoking advocacy groups have spoken out in support of the new warning labels, but one still has to question the government's ultimate intent with such a campaign. If the government doesn't want you to smoke, shouldn't they simply ban the sale or possession of cigarettes? And when are similar warning labels coming for alcohol? Given the inconsistencies in the way the two products are treated, it's clear that there's much more to the story than most Americans realize.
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