11/07/2011

Cigarette Warnings


Today A federal judge blocked a U.S. rule requiring tobacco companies to display graphic images on cigarette packs, such as a man exhaling cigarette smoke through a hole in his throat.

U.S. District Judge Richard Leon sided with tobacco companies and granted a temporary injunction, saying they would likely prevail in their lawsuit challenging U.S. health regulators' rule as unconstitutional because it compels speech in violation of the First Amendment.

But what if the warnings were not so graphic; but still had an impact?

"I SMOKE THESE"

Maybe a picture of the celebrity skank known as Lindsay Lohan saying she smokes them would deter potential smokers?

"EVERY SMOKE MAKES ME MORE FAMOUS"

Or Justin Bieber's fame rising because you smoke a cigarette could deter millions of people from lighting up.

"SMOKE THEM I'M A DOCTOR"

How about the infamous Dr. Conrad Murray saying it is OK to smoke? Surely a recommendation from a doctor that famously screwed up basic CPR should be enough to get people to quit?

The warnings on cigarettes don't have to be graphic - they just have to have reverse endorsements.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

I remember to be on my country and be smocking everywhere and no one say nothing...that was normal, when I arrived to US I needed to learn to smick ONLY on my house, not because it was prohibited by then (it is now) but because people looked at you like you was doing coca or heroin!! some incluse steped up and were so mean.I'm not a big smoker...rarely I do but yeah at least in my home I do whatever I want.

Can you imagine if they add different pics of Michael Jackson on a box of cigarrets like trading card collection.....
I only can imagine the reaction from Justice4MJ people LOL

Blog Author said...

@Anonymous I love the idea of trading cards. It'd be great. Smokers huddled round tables playing their version of "top trumps" ... Lung cancer with a score of 8.5 loses to heart disease with a score of 9.

If a cigarette company does that You can use your comment as evidence to claim the cash they owe you ;)

Anonymous said...

Yep. I think every person who smock know the risk, I think the idea of add ugly pics is good for a people who smock on a dialy basis more than 5 cigarrets, they have a high risk of getting sick, but you think they don't know?
There are decorated metal boxes for keep cigarrets that you can buy to avoid to see those pics, this pics idea will never end with the problem.
In Mex. laws aproved this time ago...and people follow like nothing...just change the box for another matal decorated one...
It's just my opinion.
About Michael Jackson on the cigarrets boxes...I just was kidding...how in earth....LOL

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