WHO global report on tobacco highlights Canadian initiative on use of graphic warning labels

The World Health Organization recently released their 2011 report on the global tobacco epidemic, highlighting health policy achievements, country specific health information and ongoing challenges.

Highlighted in the report is the fact that Canada became the first country to introduce large, graphic health warning labels on cigarette packages in 2001.  According to several follow-up studies cited in the report, the introduction of these graphic labels had a significant impact on smoker's intentions to quit.  Approximately three in 10 former smokers reported that the labels had motivated them to quit and more than a quarter said that labels helped them remain abstinent.

The introduction of large, graphic warning labels on cigarette packages is one of many policy solutions supported by this WHO report.

Chart source:  WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic, 2011