The cigarette pack as image: new evidence from tobacco industry documents

It is proven that cigarette packaging design is a critical piece of communication and advertising. Smokers always have a pack of cigarettes on them, they don't just throw the box away after the first cigarette. The pack becomes part of the smoker's image. Plus, there are many different cigarette brands and each smoker has their preferred brand. After smoking for quite a while the smoker becomes loyal to that brand and most likely will never change brands in their lifetime. "Brand image is the factor that distinguishes between cigarettes which is important for young smokers in decision making about brand choice." The packaging design is a more important factor in choosing a brand than the actual taste of the tobacco. I will definately use this article in my research paper.

Wakefield, M., Morley, C., Horan, J.K., Cummings, K. M. (2002). The cigarette pack as image: New
             evidence from tobacco industry documents. Tobacco Control. Retrieved from
             http://tobaccocontrolbmj.com/content/11/suppl_1/i73.full

Graphic cigarette warning labels blocked by judge

According to the Washington Post, U.S. District Judge Richard J. Leon ruled that the FDA has to wait to instill the new cigarette box graphics until further review by the courts. He believes that the graphics will have detrimental effects on the business of cigarette manufacturers. The tobacco companies rejoiced in the decision to delay the FDA's new graphics and warnings. Many associations against smoking have made it very clear in saying the case should be appealed. I like the information from this source and will most likey use it in my research paper.

Stein, R. (2011, November 7). Graphic cigarette warning labels blocked by judge. The Washington 
         Post. Retrieved from  http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/graphic-
         cigarette-warning-labels-blocked-by-judge/2011/11/07/gIQAg1idvM_story.html

F. D. A. Unveils Proposed Graphic Warning Labels For Cigarette Packs

In 2010, 36 warning label designs were proposed for cigarette cartons. These labels will cover half of the carton's surface and are intended to remind smokers of the dangers and the health risks of smoking.  Reports show that "about 20.6% of the nations of adults, or 46.6 million people, and about 19.5% of high school students, or 3.4 million teenagers, are smokers." It is said that around 440,000 people die each year due to tobacco causing health complications. Many cigarette companies are upset with these new requirements and are intending to fight them. The manufactures are claiming that the FDA is "infringing the companies' property and free-speech rights." By 2012, every cigarette manufacturer will be required to print the new warning labels on every single cigarette pack. The information in this article will fit nicely within my research paper.

Harris, G. (2010, November 10). F. D. A. unveils proposed graphic warning labels for cigarette
     packs. New York Times. Retrieved from
     http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/11/health/policy/11tobacco.html

American Council on Science and Health

In the United States, "smoking is the leading cause of preventable death."  There are six other major causes of death in the U.S.  They are alcohol abuse, drug abuse, AIDS, car crashes, homicide and suicide.  If you combine all six of these causes, they "account for only half as many deaths each year as smoking does."  As Dr. Gro Harlem Brundtland said, " It is rare- if not impossible- to find examples in history that match tobacco's programmed trail of death and destruction.  I use the word programmed carefully.  A cigarette is the only consumer product which when used as directed kills its consumer."  From 1900 to 2000, smoking has killed more than 100 million people.  There are good statistics in this source.  I will most likely use it in my paper.

American Council on Science and Health. (2003). Cigarette smoking: A public health disaster. In    
           Cigarettes: What the warning label doesn't tell you. Retrieved from      
           http://www.acsh.org/publications/pubid.206/pub_detail.asp

Lessons From Tobacco Control

In 1957, the first bill involving cigarette pack labels is introduced to Congress.  The label said, "Warning: Prolonged use of this product may result in cancer, in lung, heart and circulatory ailments, and in other diseases."  In 1965, the Surgeon General's Warning was put on cigarette packs.  In 1970, Congress put a stronger health warning on cigarette packs and banned cigarette advertising on television and radio.  There are four current U.S. warning labels.  First, "Smoking Causes Lung Cancer, Heart Disease, Emphysema, and May Complicate Pregnancy."  Second, "Quitting Smoking Now Greatly Reduces Serious Risks to Your Health."  Penultimately, "Smoking by Pregnant Women May Result in Fetal Injury, Premature Birth, and Low Birth Weight."  Lastly, "Cigarette Smoke Contains Carbon Monoxide."  Cigarette warning labels that are most effective are prominent, novel, "graphic", comprehensive and relevant.  An unintended consequence of warning labels is that they protect industry, not consumers.  This source has good information so I will use it in my final paper.

Center for Tobacco Policy Research. (2007). Do warning labels work? Lessons from tobacco 
     control. Retrieved from http://ctpr.wustl.edu/documents/warning_labels_2007.pdf