November 23, 2010 - The Department of Health and Human Services released thirty six images, accompanied by text November 10th, 2010 as part of latest initiative to cut tobacco use. The Family Smoking and Tobacco Control Act calls for nine larger text warnings statements and color graphic images depicting the negative consequences of smoking on cigarette packets by 2012.

However, some question whether it will be enough. Family Physician Tom Houston, MD, has seen patients so addicted to nicotine that they smoke cigarettes through their tracheotomy holes. He questions whether the graphic image health warnings will be sufficient in prompting the most addicted smokers to quit.

Nine graphic and textual warnings will be selected by June 22, 2011 by September 2012 cigarette manufacturers will have to start producing their product with the new warnings. The tobacco company Phillip Morris USA distributed a press release supporting the control initiatives like allowing the FDA regulatory authority to help stop the illegal sale of tobacco items to minors but the release did not mention their stance on the new warning labels.
Only time will tell if the new graphic images and text will be enough to have a substantial impact on the smoking rate in the U.S. Until then people like Tom Houston, MD, will continue to encourage government support in other tobacco cessation efforts at the state and local level.

For more information please visit:
http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2010/11/22/prsb1122.htm