PETERS: This message will self-destruct

Canada has become the first country in the world to require cigarette manufacturers to include labels on each individual cigarette relaying the tiniest little message about the danger contained within.

For the brief moment that the cigarette is at its full length, the smoker will be reminded one more time of their ill regard for their own health.

Then, in a nod to Inspector Gadget, the message will self-destruct.

Apparently, this is aimed at teenagers who may be bumming a smoke from their friend. They won’t see the copious warnings on the package, they won’t pay the exorbitant sin taxes, but they will see the printed warning on the cigarette itself.

It’s true that the overwhelming majority of smokers start in their teens, so getting to them while they’re young makes sense.

This measure, though, is just silly.

It’s already impossible to elude the messaging that is ubiquitous in society — smoking is bad for you. It causes cancer and other nasty diseases.

If people still put cigarette smoke in their lungs even despite that chorus being repeated everywhere, then putting the message in a few words right on the cigarette itself won’t change their minds.

This is especially true of teenagers rebelling against societal norms. If society says smoking is bad, many will just want to do it more.

Sadly, for many, the turning point in their battle against nicotine addiction will be seeing a close friend or family member die of lung cancer.

Otherwise, people are going to make decisions that are bad for them and there’s very little we can do about it.

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Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of CFJC Today or Pattison Media.

by James Peters

PETERS: This message will self-destruct

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