Graphic Cigarette Warnings in the US to Take Effect in 2021

In terms of cigarette warnings, the US has lagged behind other countries. In fact, the FDA has not updated cigarette packaging warnings for over 30 years since 1984.

 

As of November 2017, court-authorized anti-smoking ads were still airing during prime time on US television. These segments were funded by Altria Group, which owns Philip Morris USA and British American Tobacco (BAT), as a result of lawsuits against these companies, which also forced them to post anti-smoking warnings on their websites.

 

Last summer, the FDA proposed a new regulation requiring tobacco companies to place new graphic health warnings on cigarette packaging and advertisements. The new warnings include messages such as “Smoking reduces blood flow to limbs, which may require amputation” and “Smoking causes bladder cancer, leading to blood in urine.”

 

The new warnings will occupy 50% of the packaging area.

There will be a total of 11 warnings along with color graphic images depicting health conditions caused by smoking. Starting June 18, 2021, these warnings must appear on cigarette packaging and advertisements, covering 50% of the front and back panels of the packaging and at least 20% of the top of cigarette advertisements.

The director of the FDA's Center for Tobacco Products, Mitch Zeller, stated: “The finalized 11 cigarette health warnings represent the most significant change to cigarette labeling in 35 years and will greatly enhance public awareness of the serious but often overlooked negative health consequences of smoking.”

 

“Research shows that the current cigarette warnings have not changed since 1984 and are virtually invisible to both smokers and non-smokers, partly due to their small size, positioning, and lack of images. Additionally, research indicates that there remains a significant gap in public awareness regarding the dangers of smoking, with smokers having misconceptions about cigarettes and their negative health impacts.”