Warn about the dangers of tobacco
Problem
Despite overwhelming evidence of the dangers of tobacco, relatively few users fully understand the risks to their health. Most tobacco users are unaware of the extent of the harm that tobacco causes and tend to underestimate the risks to themselves and others.
In addition, most are unaware of the powerfully addictive properties of nicotine, a compound present in all tobacco products, which is absorbed readily from tobacco smoke in the lungs and from smokeless tobacco in the mouth or nose. The ease and depth of addiction to nicotine for tobacco users makes quitting extremely difficult and perpetuates the cycle of increased addiction, leading to devastating health effects.
Beyond the health consequences, there is also a lack of awareness among both the general public and policy-makers of the devastating social, economic and environmental consequences of tobacco use.
Tobacco companies use packaging and other advertising techniques to make tobacco seem appealing, while distracting consumers from the harsh reality of how tobacco destroys health. Tobacco product packaging is a central marketing tool for tobacco products and the tobacco industry's most effective vehicle for advertising its lethal products.
Yet tobacco product packaging in most countries provides little or no information to warn consumers of the risks. This reality is reflected in the lack of appreciation of the health risks among the general public and even among health professionals.