FDA proposes graphic warning labels on cigarette packages

[News_Editor]

FDA proposes graphic warning labels on cigarette packages

2010-11-11 01:40:27 GMT+7 (ICT)

WASHINGTON, D.C. (BNO NEWS) -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Wednesday announced its proposal to insert graphic warning labels on cigarette packages.

These health warnings on cigarettes and in cigarette advertisements will be the most significant change in more than 25 years, and are part of a broader strategy that will help tobacco users quit and prevent children from starting.

The proposed rule details a requirement of the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act that nine new larger and more noticeable textual warning statements and color graphic images depicting the negative health consequences of smoking appear on cigarette packages and in cigarette advertisements.

The final rule would be implemented on September 22, 2012, and would prohibit companies from manufacturing cigarettes without new graphic health warnings on their packages for sale or distribution in the U.S. In addition, manufacturers, importers, distributors and retailers in the country will no longer be allowed to advertise cigarettes without the new graphic health warning.

"Today, FDA takes a crucial step toward reducing the tremendous toll of illness and death caused by tobacco use by proposing to dramatically change how cigarette packages and advertising look in this country. When the rule takes effect, the health consequences of smoking will be obvious every time someone picks up a pack of cigarettes," said FDA Commissioner Margaret A. Hamburg, M.D.

"This is a concrete example of how FDA's new responsibilities for tobacco product regulation can benefit the public's health."

"Every day, almost 4,000 youth try a cigarette for the first time and 1,000 youth become regular, daily smokers," said U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. "Today marks an important milestone in protecting our children and the health of the American public."

According to the numbers released by the FDA, tobacco use is the leading cause of premature and preventable death in the U.S., responsible for 443,000 deaths each year. Thirty percent of all cancer deaths are due to tobacco, and each day 1,200 lives of current and former smokers are lost prematurely due to tobacco-related diseases.

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