Will graphic images on packets get you to quit smoking?

[Disco Dan]

Will graphic images on packets get you to quit smoking?

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/st...ectid=10493686

I am a smoker and I can certainly tell you that it wont make any difference. One of the comments from the above link really hits the nail on the head though:

Nope, because all smokers know that they don't smoke for the reasons everyone else seems to think they do. They no more choose to smoke than an alcoholic chooses to drink. When the so called experts realise that smoking is not a choice (although the first cigarette is!) it is an addiction, then things might change. Telling people that it is killing them and showing graphic images will do nothing despite the experts patting themselves on the back and saying it does. When they start funding courses such as "Easy way to stop smoking" well then they may start to see a reduction in the smoking rates. But nope, the government pours successive amounts of taxpayer money at supposed "scare tactics". Personally I think it is fear that the government will not acknowledge that the "Easyway" methods work. After all smokers contribute a mint to the economy and despite the figures rarely take the same amount back.

[skidMark]

Governments could ban ciggies, but they get a shitload of tax dollars out of them being sold, more tax dollars than the health bill of the smokers who get ill.

[Disco Dan]

That is one theory why the government has chosen 'scare tactics' rather than asking those addicted what methods would work best.

3/4 of the price is tax.

I have made several serious attempts to quit, but I still 'enjoy' smoking. Although I enjoy always having an excuse to get out of a social situation or conversation to have a cigarette, having my own 'time out' outside.

[Mikkel]

I was a party-smoker for all of 3 months...

These days I'll accept the odd joint or so.

No pictures would sway my decision either way.

If I wasn't at home on dial-up I'd get hold of Denis Leary having a rant on the subject - but alas...

No amount of smoking is ever going to be worth lung-cancer though. Trust me

[skidMark]

That is one theory why the government has chosen 'scare tactics' rather than asking those addicted what methods would work best.

3/4 of the price is tax.

I have made several serious attempts to quit, but I still 'enjoy' smoking. Although I enjoy always having an excuse to get out of a social situation or conversation to have a cigarette, having my own 'time out' outside.

My mate said the other day, ive quit smoking!

"awesome man"

next day hes lighting up a ciggie and goes

Mate: "Man i'm so glad i quit"

Me: "But you are smoking"

Mate: "No i didn't quit ciggies i quit ze other kind"

Me: "LMFAO"

[SlashWylde]

For the record I don't smoke cigarettes. But I'd like to see how they plan to put their pretty little stickers on each of the individual cigars sold at my favorite store downtown.

[Pussy]

I'm going to try to collect the whole set of images. Perhaps other KBers might be able to swap with me so we can complete our respective collections

[slowpoke]

You can't help someone who doesn't want to be helped. Perhaps the graphic images will help some people admit that: hey, this is actually a problem and maybe I do need help, 'cos that could/will be me one day.
Why should the government fund the "easyquit" programs? Surely people can do their own sums and realise that whatever it costs it's a shit load cheaper than a long term smoking habit? Aaaaah, who am I kidding, if people can't figure out that smoking = premature death, then what hope is there....?

[Dodgyiti]

A guy at work said to me last week-
"Those smokes are going to kill you"
I replied-
"Piss me off again and I can give you a faster way"

[SixPackBack]

You can't help someone who doesn't want to be helped. Perhaps the graphic images will help some people admit that: hey, this is actually a problem and maybe I do need help, 'cos that could/will be me one day.
Why should the government fund the "easyquit" programs? Surely people can do their own sums and realise that whatever it costs it's a shit load cheaper than a long term smoking habit? Aaaaah, who am I kidding, if people can't figure out that smoking = premature death, then what hope is there....?

Nicotine is one of the most addictive substances known to man. If it was really that easy to stop, smoking would never exist.

Non-smokers and those that have never smoked have no idea how this insidious shite gets hold of an individual. The will power needed to give up is substantial, once stopped 'the want' goes on for months becoming all consuming. Even years after smelling a cigarette, first thing on a fresh morning brings it all back, beckoning the addict to take up smoking again.

Think about it. Why else would folk participate in something that costs a fortune, fucks their health and give no benefit. Think Heroin and your on the right track.

[toebug]

I agree with sixpack.

I read the book "easy way to stop smoking" and I havent been a full time smoker for 6 months. I went 4 months without any at all, but every day was a mission. If I am around smokers I struggle hard core otherwise its not too bad. I expect it will take me years to fully get rid of the bloody things!

[JimO]

i dont smoke, never have but i doubt the pics will make people stop, its personal choice anyway if people want to kill themselves with ciggys let them. the only thing that saddens me is seeing youngsters smoking when they know its bad for them but its cool. if any of my boys start smoking they wont be doing it in my house or on my property but i doubt i can stop them when they are out with their mates, but if they choose to smoke they wont get another cent out of me for their various activitys, if they can afford to smoke they can afford to fund their own life

[Maha]

They use the owrd 'can' alot.... can cause this, can cause that. Not 'Does' or 'Will'.......only 'Can'. So no, i will puff away until I choose to give up. I have never seen Gangrene caused by smoking before, thats stretching it a bit, the end result of clogged arteries caused by smoking? There's a shit load of things out there that 'Can' kill you if ya' not carefull, smoking is just one of them.

[deanohit]

I gave up a while back because I was too breathless while hunting, not because of the thought of long term problems.
My mate who still smokes just takes the tobbaco out of the poutch and puts it in a tin, always has, so I would doubt he'd quit because of some pictures.

Maybe they should just show these pics in school and frighten kids enough that they'll never pick up a smoke and start!

[Livvy]

I gave up a while back because I was too breathless while hunting, not because of the thought of long term problems.
My mate who still smokes just takes the tobbaco out of the poutch and puts it in a tin, always has, so I would doubt he'd quit because of some pictures.

Maybe they should just show these pics in school and frighten kids enough that they'll never pick up a smoke and start!

That won't work either.

Take it from a school kid. My Dad's smoked for forty odd years, I've grown up around it and hated it so though I have had a few cigarettes in my time I have no intention of starting, but a few of my friends do - they've seen these images, but when you're my age, a lot of people just think "nah, that'll never happen to me" - because of people like my Dad, who've had almost no ill side effects from the addiction, and ignoring people like our family friend Wynne (and coincidentally, workmate of my parents', and they're all doctors) who died due to throat cancer for smoking for just as long as my Dad.

If doctors smoke, doctors who've seen, treated, lived through the side effects themselves, why would it stop anyone else? But I do think it will help stop others who will firstly think of people who are their "Wynne".