Tobacco.org

• Litzman dithers over graphic cigarette warnings 

Although the US has now joined 30 countries in requiring all cigarette packets to display gruesome images of the results of diseases caused by smoking, Deputy Health Minister Ya'acov Litzman (United Torah Judaism) has "not yet decided his position," an aide said.

Use of the graphic displays is being strongly urged by the World Health Organization's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, which Israel has ratified. Putting such images on packets has been proven in scientific research to lower smoking rates significantly, with many smokers getting the message and their children, spouses and friends demanding that they kick the habit.

Images appearing around the world include a mouthful of yellowed, rotten teeth; blackened lungs; gangrenous feet; a dead fetus lying near cigarette butts; a hole in the throat, in addition to bold texts such as "WARNING: Smoking can kill you," and "Tobacco smoke can harm your children."

Countries featuring the warnings include Canada, the UK, Singapore, China, Brazil, Austria, Germany, Finland, the Czech Republic, New Zealand, Australia, Panama, Thailand, Romania, France, Hungary, Jordan and Iran.

"His schedule is packed," Litzman's personal aide Ya'acov Izak told The Jerusalem Post

Jump to full article »