by Joe Watkins Jr

Created on: May 30, 2009

People from all over the world and from all walks of life will be observing World-No Tobacco Day this coming Sunday May 31, 2009. The World Health Organization, or WHO, has selected tobacco health warnings as this years theme. Tobacco health warnings appear on packs of cigarettes, chewing tobacco tins and tobacco pouches as one of the strongest defenses against the global epidemic of tobacco. Tobacco health warnings are most effective at convincing people to quit, that contain both pictures and words. These types of warnings appear in more than a dozen countries.

Cigarettes and all tobacco products attribute to millions of deaths every year (statistically 1 in 10 deaths for adults worldwide). The warnings on tobacco products are an integral part of a strategy has been proven to motivate users to quit and to reduce the appeal of tobacco for those who are not yet addicted. Other strategies include educational, clinical, regulatory, and social strategies to establish smoke-free policies, to promote and assist tobacco users to quit, and to prevent initiation of tobacco use. Strategies include increasing the unit price of tobacco products and implementing smoking bans through policies, regulations, and laws; providing insurance coverage of tobacco use treatment; and limiting minors' access to tobacco products.

On May 31, 2009 and throughout the following year, WHO's members, which consists of 160 countries plus, will obligate them and require health warnings that describe the harmful health effects of smoking and using all tobacco products. Working through its Tobacco Free Initiative Department, WHO will help the parties to meet obligations and provide technical and other assistance.

Many of us can remember trendy ads such as the "Marlboro Man", subtly and sexy dressed models adorning cigarette products. These stark realities present the best argument for the necessity of "Tobacco Health Warnings" as a form of public education and for the life-saving benefits they provide.

Many countries also meet a very strong resistance to all of the strategies involving a tobacco free existence, even with the reality of the above death statistics. So many feel that tobacco product use is a well deserved and affordable luxury. More visual warnings of decimated health will surely be needed whether in the U.S. or any country in the world, to permanently alter and change the attitudes of the smoking public.

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