The gory new anti-smoking ads, intended to dispel the notion that smoking is cool, make Robin Hanson question the influence of government:
We the masses are supposed to each decide what we think is "cool," and we are not supposed to accept declarations by teachers, employers, etc. on the subject. Whatever authorities recommend as a good idea, it can only accidentally be "cool." "Cool" just doesn't seem the sort of thing government can actually regulate.
Dish readers sound off:
I am an occasional social smoker. I don't consider myself addicted at all. But the first thing I thought when I saw those labels was, "Cool, time to collect all nine."
Another:
My husband and I were talking last night about these new pics (we are both ex-smokers) and thought that a new market will emerge for cigarette cases. He thought about those sleek, shiny cases, as seen on "Mad Men", and I thought about those crafty crocheted beaded cases that my grandma used to make for her cigarettes' packs.
Another sends the above image:
I'm surprised they didn't go with the Canadian "impotence" warning label.
Update: A reader notes that the Onion got there first.
The Dish 