Russia Requires Graphic Health Warning Labels

Signaling important progress in the global fight against tobacco, the Russian Ministry of Health recently issued a decree mandating the implementation of graphic health warnings on all cigarette packs sold within the country. The collection of 12 graphic warnings – which will be required on tobacco packaging starting in May, 2013 - will cover 50 percent of the backside of each pack, while 30 percent of the front display will simply and boldly state that tobacco kills.

Tobacco companies depend on package design to promote sales, build brand recognition and lure new smokers. Research shows that effective warning labels increase knowledge about risks associated with smoking and can influence future decisions about smoking. A statement issued by the Ministry of Health said that the measure is intended to not only curb smoking rates, but to prevent youth from starting to smoke in the first place. Easily understood by low-literacy audiences and children, graphic warning labels have a greater impact than text-only labels and represent crucial progress in Russia’s fight against tobacco use.

The new, graphic warning labels will help to reduce tobacco’s deadly toll throughout the country. In Russia, more than one-third of the population uses tobacco and approximately 330,000-400,000 Russians die each year from tobacco-related causes.

To view the new graphic warning labels, please visit: http://kp.ru/photo/gallery/40677

graphic warning labels, russia