The New Intimacy

what effect will graphic warnings on cigarette packs have?

Skip to last post
Set alerts
Updates
Forum search
Contributor: Kat Shanahan Kat Shanahan
Quote:
Originally posted by hornypoet69
It seems just the next thing in the long list of smoker demonization tactics, that has been happening in this country for decades now. Smokers put their pleasure above their health, and people do that all the time. Like when they have sex, for ... more
With all due respect...I don't think that smoking can be compared to sex in terms of health risks. I concede that you are right in that both activities carry inherent risks; I think we all know that. However, the fundamental difference (and I feel it's an important distinction) is that people can take precautions against STIs/pregnancy/etc. But there's no "morning after pill" to save you from getting lung cancer or COPD.

I think it's sort of condescending, as well, to assume that all sexually active people are "putting their pleasure above their health", since there are things you can do to at least reduce the risks associated with sexual activity. No, the risks can't be completely eliminated, but I don't think that's a fair statement to make.

As for your last statement, I disagree that smokers "think it worth the risk." I honestly think that, in most cases, smokers think that warnings about the effects of smoking are just "scare tactics." The health effects of smoking are, unfortunately, simply not taken seriously until it's too late. So it's not that they think the risks are worth it; they just don't understand what the risks REALLY are.
04/14/2011
Contributor: hornypoet69 hornypoet69
Quote:
Originally posted by Kat Shanahan
With all due respect...I don't think that smoking can be compared to sex in terms of health risks. I concede that you are right in that both activities carry inherent risks; I think we all know that. However, the fundamental difference (and I ... more
Most people from my generation (I'm 21) know the risks. We were bombarded with antismoking messages from elementary school on. We've all seen the black lungs and the yellow teeth. And I can make the argument without using sex, if you prefer. What about people who eat at fast food joints? Putting their pleasure above their health. Or people who participate in dangerous sports? Or people who drink alcohol? Life is a risky business. We're all gonna die. Why not do the things you enjoy?
04/14/2011
Contributor: Kat Shanahan Kat Shanahan
Quote:
Originally posted by hornypoet69
Most people from my generation (I'm 21) know the risks. We were bombarded with antismoking messages from elementary school on. We've all seen the black lungs and the yellow teeth. And I can make the argument without using sex, if you prefer. ... more
This is going to have to be a case of "let's agree to disagree", I think. I'm going to step away from this discussion; it's too personal and I'm likely to end up saying something I shouldn't.
04/14/2011
Contributor: tickle me pink tickle me pink
Try as they might I don't think it's going to make much of a difference, unfortunately. Pictures are easy to overlook and become desensitized to, and unless it's that person's face on the cigarette pack, which isn't possible, most people will still continue to have that "oh, it won't happen to me" attitude. It's good the FDA is trying to be creative and think of new ways to get people to stop smoking, but the only thing I can think of that will get people to stop smoking and prevent new people from picking up the habit is to continue to rise the price on cigarettes until they are practically unaffordable. It still won't stop everyone, but it will cut the numbers better than anything in my opinion.
04/14/2011
Contributor: cryinglightning86 cryinglightning86
I really don't see how adding graphic images to cigarette packs could possibly change anything. People are still pretty aware of what cigarettes will do to them, and they smoke anyway. Don't see what it would affect.
07/17/2012
Contributor: gsfanatic gsfanatic
I think everyone who is currently smoking knows the consequences. The graphic might help a bit, but teaching people other ways to deal with stress would probably be better
07/18/2012
Contributor: MistressDandelion MistressDandelion
Quote:
Originally posted by Crash
People who already do not smoke, and will never smoke, will think that smoking and smokers are even worse.
This.
07/18/2012
Contributor: Anne Anne
I think some people might be affected by them. I haven't seen them yet, but I'm curious now to what they look like.
07/18/2012
Contributor: vanilla&chocolate vanilla&chocolate
One of my aunts is a smoker and has been for years. If she bought one of these packs, she would shrug, open it, and proceed to chain-smoke. I think if someone is a serious smoker, this won't deter them.
07/18/2012
Contributor: Boyqueen Boyqueen
I really feel like people are going to smoke regardless and they will just ignore the graphics.
07/18/2012
Contributor: Woman China Woman China
Quote:
Originally posted by newlady
I'm in Canada, and we've had this on our packaging for years. No, I don't think it makes or made a difference at all. Now there is legislation passed that deems all cigarette sellers must have the cigarettes all hidden, so now when you go ... more
I was going to say this. Canada has had the pictures on the packs for years and years. Most of us just thought it kind of funny.

I know when Canada hiked increased the price of cigarettes many quit smoking because at eighteen bucks a pack (in Nunavut), it just wasn't worth it any more.

Bottom line is, people will smoke no matter what gets put on the pack. Here in China the government is slowly starting to crush out smoking, and I know my city it is now forbidden and illegal to smoke in stores, hospitals, on buses, adn a couple other places. (But it still is kind of funny to see the bus drivers stick their heads out the window and smoke, or doctors to smoke in the lobby, or even police officers to smoke willy nilly not caring about the law.

I had to laugh. There was a cop giving a ticket to a man who was smoking at the hospital, but there the police officer was smoking too.
07/18/2012
Contributor: Allstars316 Allstars316
No I don't think it will happen.
07/19/2012
Contributor: VioletMoonstone VioletMoonstone
I doubt it's going to change anything. My dad has smoked his whole life since he was a teen. When he was around 35 and I was just a kid he got a lump under his armpit which we later found out was cancer. He stopped smoking and went through chemo/radiation, lost all his hair, ect ect. After it was all over he was cancer free and he hadn't smoked in years. He was really healthy. But after my parents got divorced he took up smoking again. I can't believe it! It makes me furious and really heart broken. He doesn't seem to care either because he's totally addicted to it. I doubt a different pic or warning of any kind is going to make smokers stop. They might want to quit or try but it's extremely difficult to break the habit, especially if you've smoked for years.
07/19/2012
Contributor: michael scofield michael scofield
my uncle in the hospital dying of lung cancer and still smoking he said he gon smoke till he die!!!! some people don't care
07/19/2012