The World Health Organization is calling for such images to be printed on all tobacco product packages. "Disgust, fear, sadness or worry" from the warnings can discourage smoking, Douglas Bettcher, the head of the WHO's Tobacco Free Initiative, told Reuters. "Although some people question the need for such pictures, the evidence is absolutely clear that they convince people to quit," he added.
You won't believe who smokes cigars!
Here is just an example: One warning reads, "Smoking causes brain strokes." The accompanying image shows blood oozing from a brain. The tobacco industry has long fought such visual warnings, since they view them as a very real threat to their profits. The warnings are having such an impact that designer cigarette pack-holders and other accessories have become a booming market. Put the cigarette package in the holder, and you can't see the disturbing images. "That is a good indication, because smokers are noticing enough that they feel that they must not look at them," Rob Cunningham of the Canadian Cancer Society told Reuters.
Fun facts to know and tell:
--Tobacco is the leading preventable cause of death.
--Tobacco kills more than 5 million people annually.
--About 80 percent of smokers live in developing countries, where smoking rates have risen sharply in recent years.
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