The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has revealed a proposed rule which would require tobacco companies to place graphic health warnings on cigarette packages and in advertisement, CNN reported.

The 13 proposed graphic warnings include colour images and describe the health risks associated with smoking, including text statements such as, “Smoking reduces blood flow to the limbs, which can require amputation,” and “Smoking causes bladder cancer, which can lead to bloody urine”, according to the report.
The agency proposes that the graphic warnings cover the top 50 per cent of the area of the front and back panels of packages and a minimum of 20 per cent of the area at the top of cigarette ads, the FDA was quoted as saying. The final version of the rule is due to be issued mid-March 2020. According to the report, the agency said that these warnings would represent the most significant change to cigarette labels in the US in 35 years.
Ned Sharpless, acting FDA commissioner, commented on the proposed rule in a written statement, saying, “While most people assume the public knows all they need to understand about the harms of cigarette smoking, there's a surprising number of lesser-known risks that both youth and adult smokers and non-smokers may simply not be aware of, such as bladder cancer, diabetes and conditions that can cause blindness.
“With these new proposed cigarette health warnings, we have an enormous public health opportunity to fulfil our statutory mandate and increase the public’s understanding of the full scope of serious negative health consequences of cigarette smoking.”
According to the organisation Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, roughly 120 other countries and jurisdictions have finalised requirements for graphic health warnings to be printed on cigarette packages.
Kaelan Hollon, a spokesperson for Reynolds American commented on the proposed rules in an emailed statement, saying, “We firmly support public awareness of the harms of smoking cigarettes, but the manner in which those messages are delivered to the public cannot run afoul of the First Amendment protections that apply to all speakers, including cigarette manufacturers.”
Altria, which owns Philip Morris USA, also commented on the FDA’S graphic warnings proposal, saying, “We will carefully review the proposed rule and its implications to our businesses and submit comments.”