Feds Wants Diseased Lungs, Corpses on Cigarettes

FDA presents 36 labels for public scrutiny

By Newser Editors and Wire Services

Posted Nov 10, 2010 11:52 AM CST

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Feds Plan Graphic Cigarette Warnings — Three examples of proposed warning graphics that will appear on cigarette packaging as part of the government's new tobacco prevention efforts, seen in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2010. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Corpses, cancer patients and diseased lungs: These are some of the images the federal government plans for larger, graphic warning labels that will take up half of each cigarette package. The images are part of a new campaign announced by the FDA and health department today to reduce tobacco use, which is responsible for about 443,000 deaths per year.

The FDA is proposing 36 labels for public comment, which include phrases like "smoking can kill you" and "cigarettes cause cancer," but also feature color images to convey the dangers of tobacco use. The agency will select the final labels in June after reviews of scientific literature, public comments, and results from an 18,000-person study. Cigarette makers will then have 15 months to start using the new labels.
(More FDA stories.)

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