Tobacco manufacturers Philip Morris and R.J. Reynolds filed a federal lawsuit June 2nd disputing a new New York City regulation that requires shop owners who sell tobacco products to post graphic images of smoking-related disease close to the check-out area in their stores. Big Tobacco says the regulation violates the First Amendment of the Constitution.
Shop owners are complaining too. They say that the disturbing graphic images of rotting teeth and lungs are turning patrons away - even those who are not buying tobacco products.
Let's face it -- the ravages of tobacco-related disease isn't pretty. From heart disease to a wide variety of cancers to emphysema and gangrene, tobacco products are equal opportunity killers that steal lives in the most horrific of ways.
Consumers should get an eyeful of what they are facing when they buy cigarettes, cigars and smokeless tobacco. And consumers who don't smoke should walk out of stores that sell tobacco products...offering their hard-earned dollars only to retailers who don't make money off of products that kill people so ruthlessly.
Any way you look at it, point-of-sale tobacco health warning signs are a step in the right direction.
- Big Tobacco Fights NYC over Anti-Smoking Posters -- Associated Press
Point-of-Sale Tobacco Health Warning Signs
The NYC regulation states that shop owners who sell tobacco products "face-to-face" with customers must display graphic tobacco health warning signs.
Stores have a choice of posting one small sign within three inches of each cash register or one large sign at each tobacco product location in the store. Failure to post signs could cost offending retailers up to $2000 in fines.
