Every since I had my first cigarette in high school, I knew of the risks associated with smoking. I knew, from warnings on the cigarette packages, and from being told time and time again from my parents and from school that smoking was bad for you, and I knew of all the terrible diseases associated with smoking.
Of course, as most teenagers do, I just shrugged my shoulders and kept on smoking. Smoking is an addiction that is hard to quit, as I learned when I tried to quick unsuccessfully time and time again before finally quitting for good. (Even with over 50 comments of support, I still failed at first.)
Now, as a 'non-smoker', I do indulge in the occassional cigarette, when I'm out at special events, or having wine with friends, and I do it in a manner that I know won't cause me to pick up the habit again for good. I know many will argue that's bad, but for me, it's very controlled and it's really not often at all.
Years ago, warning labels on cigarette packs got larger in Canada, covering 50% of the pack, with warnings talking about everything from the harms smoking will do to your unborn child, to impotence, and of course, how smoking causes lung cancer, heart disease, and more. I'm pretty sure there is not a single person on earth (who doesn't live under a rock) that doesn't know how bad smoking is for them, or how hard it is to quit once you start.
Along with the written warnings on cigarette packs were pictures showing the effects of smoking, from damaged teeth to a pair of diseased lungs. Just Google warning labels on cigaratte packs and you'll see what I'm talking about. They were pretty... graphic.
Right beside the lighters, near the cash register where the transaction for the purchase of cigarettes were made, cute covers for cigarette packs were also sold. These "covers" for the packs were slipped on top of the warnings so smokers didn't have to constantly be reminded of how their addiction might be making them sick.
As a ex-smoker, I can tell you this: the warnings did not make me quit smoking. The warnings didn't teach me anything I didn't already know. The warnings did, however, make me upset, in the sense that a product that my goverment was selling legally was telling me every way they could how BAD IT WAS TO SMOKE. (But they still happily took my money.)
Listen, if it so bad, why doesn't the government, who cares for us so much, and oh yeah, makes millions - billions - of dollar a year from tobacco products - ban them from legal consumpton? Oh yeah. Because they make millions - billions - of dollars from cigarettes a year.
I know how bad smoking is. I never want my children to smoke, ever. I wish we lived in a tobacco-free world. I wish people didn't die from smoking. I lost a very close family member from lung cancer, and I saw first-hand the damaging effects smoking had on an otherwise healthy individual. I was there when this family member passed away. I KNOW. I don't need disturbing and graphic pictures on a pack of cigaretts in my face to tell me that smoking is bad, to tell me "SEE? See what will happen to you if you smoke? Oh but thanks for your money!"
Starting in June 2012, tobacco companies have to switch the graphic warning labels currently on packs to even more graphic warning labels on cigarette packs. The images are so disturbing to me that I won't show you the pictures. Rather, you can see for yourself here.
Some of the new labels will show Canadian anti-tobacco advocate Barb Tarbox on her deathbed. She died of lung cancer in 2003. The picture is very upsetting.
I also had to go through the death of another close family member who died from liver disease, caused from drinking too much alcohol. Alcohol is another addiction that is hard to quit, however, there are a lot of (free) resources out there to help those who suffer from alcoholism. Every year, 37,000 people die from smoking related illnesses in Canada. And over 40,000 Canadian deaths a year are a result of some sort of substance abuse, the majority of which is from alcohol.
Why are there no graphic images of liver disease on vodka bottles?
Why don't bottles of Malibu Rum show pictures of the scene of a car accident that killed an innocent family, because someone drunk got behind the wheel?
Where are those warning labels?
I don't like the double standard. I don't like the new warning labels on cigarette packs, and I'm speaking as as a non-smoker, who will not have to buy these disgusting packs. I think it would have been much more effective to have a 1-800-QUIT-NOW number on 75% of the pack, rather than a picture of a dying woman.
What's your opinion on this? Have the warning labels gone too far? Why are there no labels on bottles of alcohol? Why is one form of substance abuse okay in society, but not the other?
3 comments:
In the US we don't have labels like that at all, and I can't imagine if we did. You're right they're absolutely shocking. However I don't really feel like they do what's intended because like you said every smoker knows how bad it is. Its a risk they're gambling with, knowingly. I'm an occasional smoker and have been since high school. I smoke if drinking or stressed it amounts to be maybe 3 a month, more or less depending on the situation. I'm willing to take the risk for the occassionalness of it. I've been blessed to not know anyone who has been killed from cigarettes, but I know it happens. I agree with you whole heartily. If they are so awful why are they legal? How is marijuana illegal and yet tobacco which is so much more harmful sold at every local gas station to anyone with an ID?
No one forces someone to smoke a cigarette, or drink alcohol in excess, also a smoker/alcohol abuser CAN stop at any time, therefore many people don't really feel bad for those who complain about how hard it is to quit, because MANY many things in life are hard, and smoking is something that wasn't just a card dealt their way, it was something that smoker CHOSE to do. I agree that cigarettes SHOULD be banned, but since that wont happen, the warning labels DO scare young teens, and make them think, and if they are even saving a few kids from making the mistake of becoming a chronic smoker, then they are a good idea, also would be a fantastic idea to have the helpline info on the packs as well to help those who have gone too far in their addiction. I also agree they should DEFINITELY put some of those graphic images on alcohol bottles!
I smoked in my twenties (though never a huge smoker) and still occasionally indulge. I too lived through the disgusting packs and only quit on my own merit and not by some picture.
I completely agree with everything you've said. ;)
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