WARNING: These Graphics are Graphic - Proposed Tobacco Warnings Are Shocking Healthcare Marketing

One of 36 Proposed Graphics

If you haven’t seen the FDA’s proposed graphic new health warnings for cigarette packages and advertisements, here's your first look. You'll likely see a lot more of them. But BE ADVISED that these graphics are well beyond the current, words-only advisory, and there’s nothing subtle about them.

The FDA proposed a total of 36 warning images and text this week that would intensify the required label message that appear on cigarette packages and ads. This is the public comment stage with the final version of the health warnings – about nine of the proposed three dozen – appearing on the products sometime in 2012.

These new required warnings would consist of nine new textual warning statements accompanied by color graphics depicting the negative health consequences of smoking. The proposed regulation calls for the warnings to occupy 50 percent of a defined space on cigarette packages and to take at least 20 percent of product ads.

The FDA is seeking public comment on the proposed rule from Friday, November 12, 2010 through Tuesday, January 11, 2011. To submit an official comment during this time period, go to www.regulations.gov and insert docket number FDA-2010-N-0568 into the search box.

And be sure to let us know what you think. We welcome your comments.