Dayton Business Journal...
Report: Graphic cigarette labels to have slim impact
by DBJ Staff
Sunday, July 10, 2011 

Despite new graphic warning labels slated to appear on cigarette packs next fall, the impact on tobacco sales will likely be marginal, at least early on. 

The new warnings are expected to cause a drop of less than 1 percent in U.S. tobacco sales by 2013, according to research firm IBISWorld. 

However, an official said the warnings could eventually have a more significant sway in curbing smoking. 

The Food and Drug Administration unveiled the warning labels last month. They will consist of a series of nine health warnings that will appear on every pack and advertisement for cigarettes in the United States. 

The warning labels — considered the most significant change in tobacco regulations in 25 years — must be placed on all cigarette packs, cartons and ads no later than September 2012. 

They are designed to graphically depict the consequences of smoking. They include images of smoke curling from the neck of a smoker with a tracheotomy, rotting teeth, diseased lungs and a corpse of a smoker. 

Each warning must cover 50 percent of the front and back of a pack of cigarettes, and 20 percent of each advertisement. 

The warnings will be accompanied by a smoking cessation phone number, 1-800-QUIT-NOW. 

The FDA said the new warnings aim to prevent children from smoking and encourage adults who do smoke to quit. 

“These labels are frank, honest and powerful depictions of the health risks of smoking and they will help,” said Kathleen Sebelius, secretary of Health and Human Services. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, tobacco use is the leading cause of premature and preventable death in the United States and is responsible for 443,000 deaths each year. 

Among U.S. tobacco companies are Philip Morris International, Reynolds American Inc.and Altria Group Inc. 

Some cigarette makers are reportedly suing over the new labels. 

In Ohio, 20.1 percent of the adult population — or more than 1.76 million people — were cigarette smokers as of 2010. That’s higher than the national median of 18.4 percent, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

Many companies have begun to take a hard line of smokers. 

Insurer Humana Inc. said this month it won’t hire smokers in Arizona. And other companies, such as Macy’s Inc. and Pepsico Inc. , require those who smoke to pay more for their health insurance, according to a recent article in Businessweek. The story also said Union Pacific and Scotts Miracle-Gro will not hire people who smoke. 

Read it at Dayton Business Journal