Most smokers start as kids. The FDA wanted the tobacco companies to put gruesome pictures illustrating the health hazards of smoking on all tobacco packages, but the First Amendment got in the way. So, now, according to this AP story, the FDA is running its own ad campaign to warn teens against smoking. Here's an excerpt:
The Food and Drug Administration is using ads that depict yellow teeth and wrinkled skin to show the nation’s at-risk youth the costs associated with cigarette smoking. The federal agency said Tuesday it is launching a $115 million multimedia education campaign called “The Real Cost” that’s aimed at stopping teenagers from smoking and encouraging them to quit. The Food and Drug Administration is using ads that depict yellow teeth and wrinkled skin to show the nation’s at-risk youth the costs associated with cigarette smoking. Advertisements will run in more than 200 markets throughout the U.S. for at least one year beginning Feb. 11. The campaign will include ads on TV stations such as MTV and print spots in magazines like Teen Vogue. It also will use social media.
Go here to view "The Real Cost" home page on the FDA's website.
Below is one of the FDA's gruesome labels in wanted the tobacco companies to display. For all the others go here.
