New Graphic Cigarette Warnings In USA Nothing New When Compared To Some Countries

The nine graphic health warnings to appear on every pack of cigarettes in America, announced by the FDA, are fairly tame when compared to what some countries' authorities have introduced. In Thailand there are disturbing images, one including a tracheotomy and rotting teeth. In Brazil, some of the graphics displayed are very shocking.


The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) describes its nine graphic warnings as "a bold measure" aimed at preventing children from ever having a cigarette, as well as encouraging regular smokers to give up. It is vital, the FDA adds, that every American understands fully the dangers of smoking.


These warnings represent the greatest changes to cigarette labels in over one quarter of a century. They must be placed on every pack of cigarettes, as well as cartons by September 2012.


Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, said:


"President Obama is committed to protecting our nation's children and the American people from the dangers of tobacco use. These labels are frank, honest and powerful depictions of the health risks of smoking and they will help encourage smokers to quit, and prevent children from smoking. President Obama wants to make tobacco-related death and disease part of the nation's past, and not our future."


443,000 people die prematurely in the USA every year because of smoking, according to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). Tobacco consumption is responsible for $200 billion in medical costs and lost productivity annually in America.


The warnings were proposed in November last year - a requirement under the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act which president Obama signed into law on 22nd June, 2009.


The FDA evaluated 36 images - after considering scientific studies, and reviewing the results of an 18,000 person study, and taking into consideration 1,700 comments from retailers, doctors, other healthcare professions, advocacy groups, academics and local and public authorities, as well as individuals, the Agency chose 9 of them.


The packaging contains a smoking cessation phone number - 1-800-QUIT-NOW. It is hoped that smokers will be more likely to seek cessation help after looking at the images.


When every cigarette pack must have these graphic health warnings, the FDA expects the impact on public health to be significant - with a sizeable drop in the number of smokers.


View the final warnings


Commissioner of Food and Drugs Margaret A. Hamburg, M.D., said:


"The Tobacco Control Act requires FDA to provide current and potential smokers with clear and truthful information about the risks of smoking - these warnings do that."












Buy Vasodilan Without Prescription