Can’t wait to see the episiotomy incisions on condom packs!

In Canada, we’ve had those type of warnings for years. My favourite is the cigarette with a long ash, curling down to the side with the warning “smoking causes impotence”. Classic. Anyways, it’s all a scare tactic.. I think it’s supposed to frighten kids and adults alike. Here in my province, they can’t even display cigarettes in stores, or advertise them, so unless you’re seeking them out or know someone who smokes, you’d never even see a pack.

I just lit one up, after scrolling through the pictures. I have known people with lung cancer, my mom is a radiation therapist. She *treats* cancer patients. I admit, I started smoking just to tick her off. But since that fateful day 17 years ago, I have had quite a few chest x rays (I’ve had techs and docs tell me they’d never know I smoke had they not smelled it on me or seen them in my bag) and I gave birth to a 7 pound 12 ounce boy who was a whopping 9 days early. He has been sick a total of 6 times in the 27 months he has graced this earth, and I’m even counting a reaction to vaccinations. Am I lucky? YOU BET. Do I want to quit? Someday, but not right now. To be honest, I use these “cancer sticks” as a break. I use them to unwind and also as a timer or a Mommy Time Out. I don’t smoke nearly as much as I used to, which I know is no excuse, but for now, it works for me.

I went to school in the “dare to say no to drugs” era and they brought in actual human lungs to scare kids away from smoking. I know they gave us more information than that, but more than twenty years later, I still comment to my husband when we see smokers, “didn’t they see those lungs in school?!” Scaring kids straight can work. I know it did for me. After seeing what poor choices does to your body, not only was I never tempted to smoke (or abuse drugs or alcohol, by the way) but neither could I understand how anyone with the same amount of information could possibly choose differently. I think putting these pictures on packages of cigarettes might not deter active smokers, but it should definitely deter kids from picking up the habit.

I agree with the comments on here that the images really won’t do too much. We can preach it, we can show the images, but until someone goes through the horrible reality themselves or with someone close to them, I just do not see it helping much. For those on here who smoke, but want to get away from cigarettes, look into electronic cigarettes. Many benefits to e-cigs, such as: over 10yrs of study and no carcinogens found, huge cost savings, environmentally friendly, etc. The brand I support and no I’m not a rep, salesman, etc for them, is Totally Wicked, because of good prices and high quality products. I have been using electronic cigarettes for over two years and used four different brands. Don’t take my word for it, check it out for yourself. Oh yeah, kids can’t steal electronic cigarettes from the store or our of their parents’ pockets. Not to mention, it takes a credit card to buy them online. In short, very difficult for them to get ahold of.

@Lily, please explain your comment “video games and sodas give us diabetes”. As a “gamer” of 15+ years, I have never encountered a case of the diabetes. I find that specific claim to be a bit “over the top” unless you can back it with a resource that provides factual evidence.

@Kate, I wish the US would do what your providence does, by not allowing stores to advertise or display cigarettes.

Oh and one other point. Diabetes and obesity is rampant here in the US… are they going to put pictures of amputated legs on packages of candies and sweets? I don’t think so…

Great article and thanks for sharing those images! Smokers will quit when they are ready like I did after 15years but if these images will deter any NEW smokers I’m all for it!

Not graphic enough. As the daughter of two parents now suffering from severe health problems DIRECTLY linked to smoking, I don’t think you could be too graphic. They are missing out on a lot of their granddaughter’s life due to the fact that they are too ill to see her most of the time. It hurts them deeply to know that something so stupid and needless as smoking is now limiting their ability to live life. I say make the ads more graphic.

These ads make me want to light up out of spite. It’s bullshit that a company be required to scare you out of buying their product. I can only hope that next, my box of Cheez-Its will show pictures of unattractive fatties and cellulite-ridden thighs.

Teaching that smoking is bad is the parents’ job. Since they don’t do it, the school picks up the slack. Forcing a company to do it is anti-American.

You’re right, no “self-respecting” US company should be forced to worn the public about the dangers of their products-because they shouldn’t be allowed to sell them in the FIRST place. Many dangerous products-including products known to cause death, cancer, and disability (when used as directed) have been banned for years!

I say post the pics they might get someone to quit