Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Cigarette Warnings

Thai cigarettes as stocked for sale at a convenience store - Bangkok and elsewhere

Those of you who've visited Thailand have undoubtedly already seen the warnings printed on every pack and carton of cigarettes sold there, unless you don't know anyone who smokes, haven't seen anyone with a pack while out somewhere or have managed to avoid all convenience stores [I'm repeating an image above for today's post, by the way]. Granted, cigarettes aren't displayed openly there as often as they are here in the US, but they're visible.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have been rightly tooting their horns in celebration recently about the images that will be on packs here as they are there. Naturally they're watered down versions of what they'd like on packs - they're nowhere near as jolting or dramatic as the Thai examples - but hopefully they'll help.

It's a very safe bet that the tobacco industry has invested millions and millions of dollars to lobby against this, as they've done with any attempt to diminish their profits - or admit any responsibility for their part in the millions of deaths and related health complications from tobacco use. They've probably had the more graphic images taken out of the running and the photos won't begin to appear on packs here until the fall of 2012 - more than a year away.

Nevertheless, it's something... and I'm pleased.

A proposed image for a USA cigarette warning

Another proposed image for a USA cigarette warning
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4 comments:

  1. Was OnceJune 22, 2011 at 10:45 PM

    Now watch them come out with display stands actually meant to hide from consumers until they buy one, and the scary photos probably tear off with the wrapper.

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  2. khunbaobaoJune 23, 2011 at 9:40 AM

    The photos are printed on the paper packaging, and (for those who don't know) cigarettes are behind a cabinet door at the counter of 7-elevens and some other stores in Thailand. Here there's no such consideration and they're featured like candy, but who knows? People CAN get smarter ;-)

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  3. AnonymousJune 23, 2011 at 5:03 PM

    The image can not be removed from the packet, and they are as graphic in Australia as they are in Thailand. Shops can only display a certain percentage of cigarettes for sale, the rest have to be hidden from public view. Australia will soon have plain package cigarettes.. in other words, all the packets from all the different brands will look the same. The only thing visible will be the graphic photo, and below that, in plain print, the cigarette brand.

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  4. khunbaobaoJune 23, 2011 at 6:36 PM

    Glad to hear that. It's another step in the right direction.

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Just to save time: I'm not an expert on Thailand in any way, shape or form; I do this for the satisfaction I get from sharing with others. Constructive comments, criticism, suggestions and feedback are always welcome.