Cigarettes are getting graphic.
After an announcement Wednesday, the Food and Drug Administration said it would make the first major change to cigarette packaging in more than 25 years by requiring cigarette companies to include graphic warnings above the brand name of each box of cigarettes.
A mere warning from the Surgeon General admonishing smokers not to light up while pregnant or a, “Hey, you might get cancer,” warning isn’t cutting it anymore for the FDA.
The definitely-not-suitable-for-picture-books graphics will display images ranging from decaying teeth to a corpse in an attempt to persuade smokers to put down the pack for good.
And when the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates smokers cost America $193 billion annually in lost productivity and health care costs, we couldn’t be happier with the extra efforts the FDA is making to put an end to this deadly habit that holds the dubious title as the No. 1 cause of preventable death in America.
But, at the same time, we realize smokers are more than aware of the dangers associated with lighting up. Smokers know each time they choose to smoke they cut minute after minute off their lives. Smokers have seen the images of tar-black, tobacco-tainted lungs.
So, although we fully support the graphic warning labels or any other sensible measure to prevent deaths from tobacco abuse, we realize smokers are still going to smoke.
And that’s a shame.
