FDA Proposes Graphic New Warning Labels for Cigarette Ads and Packaging

November, 2011

The Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act requires that cigarette packages and advertisements include more prominent health warnings. In response to this act, the FDA has proposed several new warning labels that will be required on all cigarette packaging and advertisements. The proposed labels consist of several alarming warning statements (such as "WARNING: Smoking can kill you.") accompanied by horrifying images (including dead bodies and cancer patients, among others) depicting the negative health consequences of smoking. The FDA is seeking public opinion regarding the new warning label requirements from now until January 11, 2011, and will be issuing their final warning label requirements by June 22, 2011.