THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
PAGE 9
cause of the warning labels. There is no research, however, to indicate how many people actually quit smoking because of the warnings.
Tobacco is one of the leading causes of preventable death in the U.S. and costs approximately $200 billion per year in medical costs and lost productivity, according to a CDC estimate. However, smokers are also some of the most overtaxed citizens who contribute heavily to both federal tax revenues and GDP. In Kansas, .79 cents of every pack goes to taxes, according to the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. In 2008, Kansas collected $118,253 from cigarette taxes and $16,575,613 nationwide.
It is uncertain yet how the new warning will affect smoking numbers in the future. The overall smoking rate for adults is 19.6 percent. For 18 to 24 year olds the number raises to more than 25 percent. And, according to the CDC, the smoking rate for college students 18 to 24 and in Kansas is 26.4 percent.
Katie Longofono, a senior from Topeka and a smoker for the last four years, said that, while the new cigarette displays are gruesome, they probably won't deter her from smoking.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29, 2011
"If you're addicted to something pictures aren't going to stop you," she said. "You're going to do it regardless."
GRAPHIC IMAGES
These pictures, provided by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday, June 21, 2011, show seven of nine new warning labels cigarette makers will have to use by fall 2012.
Photos by Associated Press
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