Warning Labels

Knowledge of the health risks of smoking motivates those who smoke to attempt quitting. In 1965 the Federal Cigarette Labeling and Advertising Act mandated that cigarette packs must include the statement "Caution—cigarette smoking may be hazardous to your health." The Comprehensive Smoking Education Act of 1984 increased the number of warning statements to be posted on the sides of cigarette packs. Graphic (pictorial) warnings covering a greater proportion of individual packs, however, are more effective than textual warnings in increasing awareness of cigarettes’ danger to health and intentions to quit smoking (Figure 4.2.3). The World Health Organization also recommends that graphic warnings cover about 50% or more of cigarette packs and/or that warnings be rotated or updated periodically. Currently, over 138 countries/jurisdictions require pictorial warnings on cigarette packages (Figure 4.2.4).

In the US, the Tobacco Control Act required graphic warnings covering the top half of the front and back of cigarette packs and 20% of cigarette advertisements. The tobacco industry, however, has vigorously opposed the implementation of graphic warning labels through court actions. After numerous lawsuits and court appeals, the US Fifth Circuit ruled in March 2024 that the 2020 graphic warning labels final rules can go into effect because they do not violate the First Amendment.