Government Wants New Packaging On Cigarettes

BALTIMORE - The federal government is looking to plaster new warning labels on cigarettes, labels featuring dead bodies and cancer patients.  Kai Jackson has more.

The proposed ads are shocking and health experts hope the images are disturbing enough to encourage current smokers to quit and stop new smokers altogether.

A woman on her death bed, healthy lungs vs. diseased lungs and a man in a coffin.  These are the graphic new images that the government wants to put on cigarette boxes.

"We want to make sure that every person who picks up a pack of cigarettes is going to know exactly what the risk is that they're taking," said Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebilius.

It's estimated that 443,000 people die each year from tobacco use and the government says every day, 4,000 children try their first cigarette.

Still, many are shocked by the proposed ads.

"Oh my, that's frightening," said Wendy Fickling.

That's the kind of reaction that the government is seeking.  Warning labels have been on cigarettes for years, but there's been nothing like this.

Yet, there's no guarantee that their target audience will listen.  Some may see this as more government meddling in citizens' lives.

The FDA is proposing 36 images for public comment.  To see the proposed labels, click here.