Stop Smoking

Click here to view all package designs: http://adweek.blogs.com

Recently the FDA has been given permission to regulate tobacco products under a new law.  The hot debate now: cigarette packaging designs.  The FDA has released 36 warning labels for the cartons and is asking the public for feedback.  By June the top 9 designs will be used for the packages going out in October.  Finally, a gruesome, yet gravely truthful portrayal of the effects of cigarette smoking.  Only three of the 36 labels are positive and suggest that quitting now reduces serious health risk.  Sure this is a scare tactic (that hopefully works!) but a lot is the same old negative phrases that have been used since smoking was found to be harmful.  Although these phrases have been used repeatedly, now they (along with morbid images) will be shoved in front of all smokers who look at their cigarette package.

One thing that boggles my mind every time I think about it is how many people are STILL smoking.  Every time I walk through campus I am surprised at the number of students lighting up.  I don't know one person that hasn't heard of the risks of tobacco products.  The scientific evidence is clear so why risk your life on something so easy to avoid?  And not only your life, but everyone else around you that you breathe that disgusting, smokey breath on.  I realize that some people are addicted.  My question to them: why did you start in the first place?  Smoking is deadly.  If you want the risk of lung, mouth, and throat cancer along with yellow fingernails and teeth, and smelly breath, hair, and clothes, then by all means smoke.  But don't say you haven't been warned.