Graphic Health Warnings
Graphic health warnings on tobacco products will make an important contribution to the effort to reduce the prevalence of smoking in Australia.
The Graphic Health Warnings Campaign, was launched on 14 February 2006 to raise awareness of a new system of graphic health warnings on tobacco product packaging. From 1 March 2006 tobacco products manufactured or imported into Australia are required to be printed with these health warnings images.
The 14 health warnings, comprising graphic images and explanatory messages, cover 30% of the front and 90% of the back of cigarette packs. The national Quitline number and website address are also included. A rotation system has been developed to optimise consumer learning and awareness of the health effects of smoking. Two sets of seven health warnings (Set A and Set B) are alternated every 12 months. (Set A images were required from 1 March 2006, and Set B images from March 2007).
These stark images focus on some of the major smoking-related health issues including lung cancer, emphysema, peripheral vascular disease, heart disease, macular degeneration, environmental tobacco smoke, foetal exposure to the toxins in tobacco smoke, smoking as a leading cause of death, and the benefits of quitting.
Below is additional information on each of the health effects addressed in the Health Warnings campaign.
