U.S. Food and Drug Administration Announces New Cigarette Packaging Requirements

"Beginning September 2012, FDA will require larger, more prominent cigarette health warnings on all cigarette packaging and advertisements in the United States." Following what has been done in many countries all over the world U.S FDA cigarette labels will require larger, more graphic images on the packaging." 

Details below.

"These warnings mark the first change in cigarette warnings in more than 25 years and are a significant advancement in communicating the dangers of smoking.  The introduction of these warnings is expected to have a significant public health impact by decreasing the number of smokers, resulting in lives saved, increased life expectancy, and lower medical costs."

"Placement of New Warnings on Cigarette Packages and Advertisements

Starting in September 2012, the new cigarette health warnings will appear

• on the top 50 percent of both the front and rear panels of each cigarette package.
• in the upper portion of each cigarette advertisement, occupying at least 20 percent of the area of the advertisement. "

Find more information on the new warnings from the FDA. 

Comments

[Sam]

I'm incredibly glad to see the U.S. make a sincere effort to step out smoking, but, really? Did they even consult a professional design team? I can't even bring myself to say that these adhere to basic design fundamentals such as balance. And the baby comic-book graphic? Seriously? Were they too afraid to put a photo of a screaming infant on the package? And the type? Incredibly inconsistent and poorly executed. Other countries' packs are more attention grabbing because the photos are more impactful. Brazil's is pretty good (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Cigarettes_brazil.JPG).

If you're gonna try to scare people, have some balls and really SCARE them. These photos are pitiful.

[Bianca]

Here in Brazil, cigarrete labels are very very disturbing. Alot more than that ones that you showed here. But sadly, people just learned to ignore them and they keeping smoking anyway =/

[Ed]

I agree with Bianca up there. I do believe that it does not matter what you put in the package, smokers will still smoke. And besides there's a "surgeons general warning" on there.

[Stephen Cameron]

As a deterrent, these are just sad. As an intrusion, it's downright un-American. Plus, it accidentally gives a lot of credit to branding and packaging as a powerfully influential determinant -- even selling people to their own death. Everyone knows it's the nicotine and not the brand that makes smoking addictive. Just one more lame example of government-style group-think.

Marlboro, Camel, and Kool should launch a class-action suit against intrusive government regulations. Quick, before they decide wine and beer are bad for your health too.

[Lou]

The cheap scare is just off putting. What's next, car wreck pictures on alcohol beverages and pictures of obese people on fast food packages? Hopefully they're designed well.