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A reader writes:
The warnings have to go on cigarette advertising as well, not just the packs. It will be nearly impossible to glamorize smoking in advertising with these warnings included. Just think how useless the iconic Marlboro man campaign would have been if all of those ads had these images as well.
Another writes:
I admire your reader's hipster ethos of ironically embracing graphic warning labels in precisely the opposite way that the government hopes (in a way that encourages the purchase of cigarettes). But, alas, not all of us are naturally that blasé. Which is why there is broad and extensive empirical evidence that warning labels are effective in reducing the number of people who smoke, particularly among children. I know, totally uncool.
This pamphlet [pdf] from the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids sums up the evidence pretty well. From the document: "Warning labels that include graphic images that elicit an emotional response have been shown to be the most effective. Strong, emotional responses are associated with increases in the warning’s effectiveness."
The above images are from Thailand. Another reader:
I'm reminded of the power for good in the British government's "Think" campaign. In the UK, the change of mindset and creation of a social stigma around drink driving was achieved by the shocking TV campaign that has been running since the 1980s. If you watch this example and this one, you'll get a sense for the hard hitting nature of the delivery of the message. They are both excellent. A few more here and here, from 2008, regarding seat belts. Shocking. But bloody effective.
The Dish 