Gory photos won't deter smoking

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has a new approach to stem the number of smokers in this country. The FDA wants to put new warning photos on packs of cigarettes that show gruesome health aspects of smoking. Among the photos are pictures of dead or dying people to help illustrate the negative health impact of smoking.

I've heard of dumber ideas. Just none lately.

There's no argument that smoking is hazardous to your health. There's equal evidence that obesity is dangerous. Consuming excessive amounts of liquor can be equally as dangerous to your health. And the list goes on.

But to somehow believe that gory photos on cigarette packs will somehow finally bring the health message home is just ignorant.

How about photos of morbidly obese individuals on package of Twinkies? How about every liquor label containing a photo of a maimed drunk driver?

This is as dumb as putting a warning label on a screwdriver that says it's dangerous to stick this device in your eye. No kidding!

I well remember the days when you were allowed - and sometimes darned near encouraged - to smoke in public meetings, in the hospital, in city court and everywhere else. Even as a smoker, I am glad those days are gone.

And I have no opposition with most plans to diminish smoking. But from a not-so-proud dedicated smoker, believe me, gruesome warning labels are not the answer, nor even part of the answer.

You want to decrease smoking, then tax the hell out of it. Make it financial unpalatable to buy cigarettes and you'll see a drop in smoking. Same goes for booze or junk food.

Yes, I know, my smoking can bring negative consequences to you in the form of casual second-hand smoke. But so can drunk drivers and so can health care costs associated with obesity.

I believe a silly solution is worse than no solution at all. And graphic labels are a silly solution to a serious problem.

Unless you have lived under a rock for the past four decades, you know smoking will not improve your health. Same applies to other humanly vices.

If, as a nation, we are sincere about reducing smoking in a big way, then let's get serious. Cigarette consumption is down by half in the past 45 years. That's an admirable record. But gory label photos will have no impact on this issue.