National Health Groups Applaud FDA Defense of Graphic Health Warnings on Cigarette Packs

The U.S. Food And Drug Administration’s final rule, issued on March 18, requiring large, graphic health warnings on cigarette packs and advertising.

By law, the new warnings are required to appear on cigarette packs and ads 15 months after a final rule is issued (June 18, 2021). The

new warnings

show and tell the deadly consequences of smoking and will promote greater public understanding of the many ways in which smoking harms the human body compared with the current text-only warnings, which have become stale and unnoticed since they were last updated in 1984. They are supported by

extensive scientific evidence

and will help the United States catch up to the

120-plus countries

that have adopted this best-practice strategy to reduce tobacco use and save lives. Read the March 17

Statement

of the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Cancer Society, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, American Heart Association, American Lung Association, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids and Truth Initiative.

The associated files and links are available below.