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Bold new warnings make canadian smokers think twice
In-your-face reality checks now required on Canadian cigarette packs have gotten the attention of almost all of the country’s smokers. Many have been motivated to try to quit, according to a report on the Web site of the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS).
The bold messages include pictures of yellowed and blackened smoke-damaged teeth and gums; cancerous lungs; a brain damaged by a stroke; and a wilted, limp cigarette reminding smokers that smoking can cause impotence, among other things.
The pictures — and written warnings that come with them — must cover the top half of cigarette packs in Canada to comply with a law that went into effect in December 2000.
Once the warnings had been on cigarette packs for about nine months, the CCS and health agencies of the Canadian government started a study to determine their impact.
Smokers and Others Taking Notice
The study, looking at 2,031 adult Canadians and including 633 smokers, found that 90% of smokers had noticed the new warnings. About half of non-smokers had seen them.
Among smokers who’d seen the warnings, more than four in 10 said they had been more motivated to quit by the stark warnings. And almost six in 10 said they thought more about the health effects of smoking after seeing them.
About two of 10 smokers said that on one or more occasions, they had been tempted to have a cigarette but didn’t when they saw the warnings.
Among smokers trying to quit at the time, about three in 10 who saw the warnings found themselves sometimes putting the pack back without lighting up.
Some of the graphics warned about the dangers to non-smokers of second-hand smoke. The study showed about four in 10 non-smokers were more concerned about such dangers after seeing the new warnings.
Tobacco Expert Says Strong Warnings Needed Here
An American Cancer Society (ACS) expert on the health consequences of smoking said the new warnings are a valuable tool that can help motivate smokers to quit, and could be useful here.
“The Canadian warnings give accurate information and if they encourage people to quit smoking, or to smoke less, that’s a positive thing,” said Ron Todd, MSEd, ACS director of tobacco control.
Todd noted that in addition to lung cancer, cigarettes also are linked to increased risk of cancers of the mouth, pharynx, larynx, esophagus, pancreas, uterine cervix, kidney, and bladder.
About half of all continuing smokers die of diseases caused by smoking, Todd noted, so that anything that helps people quit smoking can be an enormous benefit.
Todd said that whenever someone makes an attempt to quit, they learn a little more about themselves and what it is going to take for them to quit, and they develop a little more strength for the next time.
“Some people are able to quit on their first attempt, but most people try several times before they’re successful, and if this is one more attempt, it brings them one more time closer to being successful quitters,” Todd noted.
The ACS has worked to interest US legislators in an approach similar to the Canadian one, and will continue to do so, said Todd.
Those seeking to quit smoking can get help by calling the ACS toll-free number (1/800-227-2345), said Todd.
About the author:
http://www.cancer.org
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