Show smoking’s effects on packs says Dr Antonio Anzueto

According to an international expert on respiratory diseases, all cigarettes sold must have graphic images showing the side effects of smoking.
Dr. Antonio Anzueto, a professor at the University of Texas Health Center, cited the rising number of smokers in the Asia-Pacific.
Scary antismoking images could dissuade people from lighting up, said Anzueto during a press conference in Singapore.

Show smoking’s effects on packs’-- expert
By Julie M. Aurelio
Inquirer
Last updated 02:18am (Mla time) 12/02/2007
SINGAPORE -- According to an international expert on respiratory diseases, all cigarettes sold must have graphic images showing the side effects of smoking.

Dr. Antonio Anzueto, a professor at the University of Texas Health Center, cited the rising number of smokers in the Asia-Pacific.

Scary antismoking images could dissuade people from lighting up, said Anzueto during a press conference in Singapore.

Anzueto, along with other doctors, presented a study on chronic bronchitis and other smoking-related illnesses at a briefing sponsored by Bayer.

He said he was aware of proposals in the Philippines for a law that would require cigarette companies to include picture-based warnings on packages.

Philippine Health Undersecretary Alexander Padilla has been pushing for such a law.

New tack timely

Anzueto said graphic warnings, such as photographs of severely damaged lungs or a malnourished baby, would drive home the point against cigarette smoking.

“It has been done in Europe, Venezuela, Italy, Thailand and other countries. The number of sold packs went down by at least 25 percent in the first month alone,” he said.

Anzueto said that in Europe, doctors are more conscious of smoking-related diseases and are more keen in identifying chronic bronchitis and other similar illnesses.

“Europeans are smoking less now because they are more aware of the effects of smoking,” he said.

Anzueto added that the new tack against cigarette smoking was timely, especially with the upward trend in smoking among Asian men and women.