Editorial: Smokers Beware - WSFA.com: News Weather and Sports for Montgomery, AL.

Editorial: Smokers Beware

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By Collin R. Gaston - bio | email

  • Editorials

  • Thursday, May 23 2013 7:20 PM EDT2013-05-23 23:20:04 GMT
    Anyone who takes advantage of one of Alabama's most treasured assets – the elderly – should face swift and steep consequences.  Thanks to a bill passed in the final hours of most recent legislative session that
    Anyone who takes advantage of one of Alabama's most treasured assets – the elderly – should face swift and steep consequences.  Thanks to a bill passed in the final hours of most recent legislative session that

  • Tuesday, May 21 2013 7:20 PM EDT2013-05-21 23:20:08 GMT
    The horrific tornadoes that ripped through Oklahoma this week bring back all too familiar memories for Alabamians as memories of April 27, 2011 are still fresh in many minds. When Alabamians were in need
    The horrific tornadoes that ripped through Oklahoma this week bring back all too familiar memories for Alabamians as memories of April 27, 2011 are still fresh in many minds. When Alabamians were in need

  • Thursday, May 16 2013 7:20 PM EDT2013-05-16 23:20:04 GMT
    In my editorial on Tuesday I chided our legislators for being the last state to pass a no-brainer  bill legalizing home brewing.  Today I want to challenge them to be one of the first states to pass another no-brainer;
    In my editorial on Tuesday I chided our legislators for being the last state to pass a no-brainer  bill legalizing home brewing.  Today I want to challenge them to be one of the first states to pass another no-brainer;
    •   

By the fall of 2012 all cigarette makers will have graphic warning labels on cigarette packs depicting the health risks of smoking. These warnings, soon to be on the front and back of all packs, will constitute 50% of the top of the packaging as mandated by the Food and Drug Administration.  The FDA is also requiring the addition of a toll-free phone number to the labels that smokers can call to get advice on quitting.

Smoking-related diseases cause about 443,000 deaths a year in the U.S., according to government estimates and the FDA.  The FDA estimates these warnings alone will reduce the number of smokers by 213,000 in 2013. 

As someone that grew up with parents who smoked and have children that I do not want to start, these warnings are welcomed.  This not about being insensitive to those addicted to nicotine, but about saving lives now and in the future by taking the glamour out of smoking and using negative images to highlight the ill effects.

We hope everyone who wants to quit gets the help and support needed to quit and hopefully with this new packaging mandate those that are thinking about starting – won't.

We welcome your feedback.

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