New Graphic Cigarette Warnings Unveiled by FDA
Everybody knew the graphic new cigarette labels the Food and Drug Administration would be disturbing. But the nine selected by the agency may still startle you.
The whole idea is that the labels will grab people by the lapels and be the visual equivalent of someone yelling: “Stop smoking!”
And, for the most part, the labels unveiled by the agency today live up to the advanced billing. Check out the ravaged teeth and damaged lip in the label on the left for starters.
Beginning in Sept. 2012, cigarette makers will have to give up the top half on their packages to display the nine images in rotation. In ads, 20 percent of the real estate at the top of the ads will have to be devoted to a graphic warning.
I had a brief love affair with tobacco back in my early 20’s. I smoked for two years and was up to a pack and a half a day before I quit.
I consider this to be one of the most valuable accomplishments of my life so far.
Having said that, I often wonder how the government can justify allowing alcohol products to be advertised on television while banning tobacco advertisements.
And why doesn’t the FDA put similar label on alcohol products?
Disease and death are also a byproducts of consuming alcohol, not to mention the societal problems it causes and the deaths that result from drunk driving and alcohol induced violence.
I don’t think these drugs should be prohibited nor any others for that matter but do believe in truth in advertising and in the value of educating the consumer on the effects of drugs.
Consider this, back in the day, smoking was cool. It was so cool that they removed the advertising, so people would be less inclined to smoke. It is the same with alcohol. The cool parties have alcohol. The cool people drink. Society and advertising has made it cool drink. So why aren’t advertisements for alcohol products pulled?
As a non-smoker and a consumer of alcohol, I find this hypocrisy and the inconsistency in how these two different harmful substances are treated to be both grotesque and disgraceful.
Also posted at blogspot.
