Grisly warnings to appear on UAE cigarette packets

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Tuesday, May 22, 2012
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7DAYS

This is one of 10 graphic warnings that will soon be displayed on tobacco products across the country aimed at shocking smokers into kicking the harmful habit.

The UAE government selected the image, along with four others recommended by the World Health Organisation, to be placed on all cigarette packets.

A further five pictures have been chosen to be splashed on shisha packets. Tobacco manufacturers have received all of the photos and the warnings will be in place from August.

  1. Are the warnings shocking enough to make smokers think twice?

    Are the warnings shocking enough to make smokers think twice?

Anti-smoking officials are confident the visual health warnings will be effective in their war on tobacco.

“Current warnings on cigarette packs are subliminal and do not have a real effect on a smoker’s consciousness,” said Dr Wedad Al Maidoor, head of the tobacco control committee at the Ministry of Health.

“The graphic warnings will show smokers what is likely to happen to them if they continue smoking.”

However, smokers in the UAE told 7DAYS the images will not make them think twice about lighting up.

“I have lived in several countries where there have been graphic warnings on cigarette packets,” one smoker said.

“These have included among other things, photos of cancerous growths but the photos have never had any impact on me whatsoever.”

Another smoker, Hafez Battash, said: “Teenagers or adults who are just venturing into the habit are likely to be unsettled by these warnings,” said Battash. “But for a seasoned smoker like me who has seen worse threats, I might not even notice the photo exists.”

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  • Profile image for Nancy Alcantara

    by Nancy Alcantara

    Sunday, June 03 2012, 8:05AM

    “Smoking Cigarettes is always dangerous to everyone's health.This is really obvious, but I I can see in the above pic, this is an exaggerated one.I think it will not result on the same pic, but the image is just reminding all the smokers the benefit theyre getting...”

  • Profile image for ComConM

    by ComConM

    Sunday, May 27 2012, 2:04AM

    “britannia88 makes a good point, but I think the smoking of cigars is generally more odious than the smoking of normal cigarettes. Cigars should be banned outright, in many bars and nightclubs where smoking is allowed there are actually signs expressly prohibiting the smoking of cigars, which just shows how annoying they are for the public in general. But I agree with the argument that cigarettes actually benefit the economy, rather than the other way round.”

  • Profile image for Trent B.

    by Trent B.

    Tuesday, May 22 2012, 9:25PM

    “The UAE government thinks smoking is bad for you! Why don't they do something about smoking in public places. I would love to get a coffee and dessert without having to deal with all of the cigarette smoke. It's a proven fact that cigarettes and second hand cigarette smoke will kill you! Wake up, a picture on a package is not the best way to discourage smoking!”

  • Profile image for delaine0984

    by delaine0984

    Tuesday, May 22 2012, 6:53PM

    “Why give warnings on a pack when you can stop smoking altogether? Maybe the government can be a bit lenient and allow only certain areas, clubs, etc for smoking. But smoking should be discouraged as much as possible. The younger generation find it "really cool" to take a puff with their friends. This is ruining them too.”

  • Profile image for Dee Aplonia

    by Dee Aplonia

    Tuesday, May 22 2012, 6:17PM

    “Prices have been raised ... advert campaigns have been run ... areas have been segregated .... every possible negative aspect re smoking has been high lighted yet the smokers continue with their trend. Obviously smoking is a 'personalised' trend or habit and nothing will or can change the smokers mind but themselves!

    Perhaps its time to go back to grass root training ... teach them young and hopefully a few more will not follow in the smokers trend. Let us teach them young ... at higher nursery level if necessary ... smoking is bad for everyone's health!”

  • Profile image for Randall Mohammed

    by Randall Mohammed

    Tuesday, May 22 2012, 6:13PM

    “it may deter some people but before and after pics of lungs have a greater impact. More education is required especilly for those that want to quite. Restricting sale, banning smoking from allpub;lic spaces, night clubs, bars, hotels and appt buildings and price increases would help to discourage smokers, but prevention is better than cure and we must begin to teach the younger ones about the dangers of smoking.”

  • Profile image for alexandra

    by alexandra

    Tuesday, May 22 2012, 5:03PM

    “Thats really awesome! It's good that their trying to stop smoking as mush as possible, It does harm the people. But i agree the the picture in the graphic warning is a bit too much, it's a little ove-edited and people won't really believe that the same will happen to them. I think they should use something more realistic because people will believe it.”

  • Profile image for britannia88

    by britannia88

    Tuesday, May 22 2012, 12:56PM

    “LY_528...I think you'll find it actually has a very good effect on a national economy, taxes, etc. The expenditure in health care due to smoking related illnesses, I'm sure, is dwarfed by the income governments around the world make from the tobacco industry.

    I smoke cigars, and these sort of images aren't included on the 'quality' brands, but they did try doing this on the side of packets of the cheaper brands...it didn't make me stop.”

  • Profile image for Ranya Jawed

    by Ranya Jawed

    Tuesday, May 22 2012, 12:09PM

    “There are both sides to this picture warnings, some may look at them, think about it ill effects and others will simply ignore and walk away from it. More than just pictures, strict warnings must be issued. I feel a complete anti-smoking drive must be started to curb on smoking. Smokers don't understand that they not only pose a risk on themselves but also on others too.”

  • Profile image for LY_528

    by LY_528

    Tuesday, May 22 2012, 12:04PM

    “Smoking is harmful whatever the angel you approach it:

    - it is harmful for the smoker health.
    - burning the smoker money
    - harmful for the people surrounding the smoker and his family
    - harmful for the environment
    - bad effect on the national economy”

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