Earlier this month, the FDA announced that it would place new labels on cigarettes by the year 2012.  These new labels, containing images taking up as much as a whole side of a cigarette box and containing images, an idea have raised some controversy.  However, many public health scholars praise the potential health effects of the new labels.

The new labels are planned to “cover half the surface area of a pack or carton of cigarettes, and a fifth of any advertisements for them” (www.utexas.edu).  The basic idea behind the new labels is shock factor.  As Junior Akhil Venkatesh described, “When people see [the new labels] they’ll be less inclined to buy [the cigarettes].”

The health factor is perhaps the most compelling reason for the new cigarette labels.  Junior Paul Austin suggested that the new labels will “improve health in America.”

Dr. Jonathan Whiteson, Assistant Professor of Rehabilitational Medicine at the New York University Langone Medical Center, told the Wall Street Journal that the new labels “definitely have the shock value going for them” but needs to be followed up with a more positive message because “when we emphasize feeling good, the sense of mastery that comes from making a behavioral change or the promise of an enhanced chance of avoiding heart disease or cancer [produces] a much more positive and effective response from patients” (www.wsj.com).

Graphic cigarette labels are commonplace in other countries.  In Canada and 30 other countries, graphic cigarette labels intended to shock the consumer, similar to the proposed American ones, are commonplace (www.thenewstribune.com).  With widespread precedents abroad, the American labels can expect at least moderate success.

However, there is a great deal of controversy surrounding the new labels.  In an Op-Ed for the Boston Globe, journalist Jeff Jacoby asked “when did it become the job of the federal government to treat American adults the way mothers and fathers treat children?” (www.boston.com). the new cigarette labels would no doubt adversely affect the tobacco industry, but some also fear its effects on the common human.  Student body president Senior Anas Hoque said the new labels are “intruding upon private business.  It would be really uncomfortable to have that box next to you.”