Warning about the dangers of tobacco

Despite overwhelming evidence of the dangers of tobacco, relatively few users fully understand the extent of the harm that tobacco causes and tend to underestimate the risks to themselves and others. The ease and depth of addiction to nicotine for tobacco users makes quitting extremely difficult and perpetuates the cycle of increased addiction, leading to devastating health effects. 

Yet tobacco product packaging in most countries provides little or no information to warn consumers of the risks. Tobacco companies use packaging and other advertising techniques to make tobacco seem appealing, while distracting consumers from the harsh reality of how tobacco destroys health.

Health warnings on tobacco packaging reach all smokers and cost governments nothing. As laid out in guidelines to Article 11 of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, warnings should appear on both the front and back of the packaging and be large and clear and describe specific illnesses caused by tobacco. Use of graphic images demonstrating the harm of tobacco use can be especially effective in convincing users to quit. In addition to paid advertising, reaching out to the news media can effectively and inexpensively disseminate anti-tobacco messaging.