I doubt that this will ever happen in the USA due to the strength of the tobacco industry and it's lobbyists, but you should check out this news story in the OCF News Section:

http://oralcancernews.org/wp/2008/09/smoking-impact-images-to-appear-on-cigarette-packs/

Jerry

Hi Jerry,
Australia like many other countries has had these pictures for quite some time now.
I was a heavy smoker who quite just over 2 years ago. 1 week before my surgery in September 2006 to be precise.
Before my Dx I would use a cigarette case to hide these images
I guess like other addicts you get clever when something like this comes out and look for the workarounds.
I have done surprisingly well giving up but know that to have just 1 could be a problem. I can now be around smokers and not feel like I would like one.
I got over this by using my own methods when tempted.
1. The look on my family�s faces when they saw me the day after surgery. I could not put them through that again. I think it was close to a week before I saw myself.
2. Just need to look down at the shark bite inside wrist or put my hand to the right side of my neck.
3. Remember how much money I have not blown up in smoke these last 2 years.

You can see a list of the countries with these warnings here but everyone should know (and not be surprised) that it is not pretty.

It's a Canadian site but you can see what is being done in other countries.

http://www.smoke-free.ca/warnings/countries%20and%20laws.htm

gabe you are right here in canada these warnings are kinda old hat and most people like me included just learned to ignore the pictures or like you said had covers or cases for the cigarette packs...

I guess I am not like a lot of people here and am still having quite the fight with not smoking still have not had any but it is the craziest thing don't crave it just want it...so I play a game with myself and no you don't want one...and remind myself of everything you do Gabe but I am still finding it hard...I can even be around those smoking it doesn't bother me it the nagging just one just one...but I know that that one will be like pulling a pebble out of a dam and the thing will come tumbling down and I don't want to have to start all over again..till I get it right...As far as the pictures go maybe it has encouraged some to quit in my circle it was just ignored...

Well unlike most i was a non smoker when rob was diagnosed,and remained so until his terminal diagnosis.I pulled the pebble out of the dam and i drowned.My addiction is worse than it was 10 years ago when i gave up and the worst thing is i seem to get a kick out of playing russian roulette.I cant afford it,my home cant afford the redecoration costs this filthy habit causes,my asthma cant afford it,but i can tell you jerry the pictures wont work for me because they are nothing like as horrific as my husbands face during the last weeks of his life,and in this day and age of violent horror films and video games they are benign to say the least.The throat cancer picture is from the historical archives of a medical book from the 19th century and is totally unrealistic.

Its a sad fact of life that some of us need a crutch to get through day to day,and to all of you who are about to type out your indignation at my stupidity,you would be preaching to the converted.My doctor has said one thing at a time until i deal with the other issues robs death has left me with ,but the bottom line is that in this one thing i am failing badly,and no one knows that more than me.

Liz,
You are very brave to admit this to this board and maybe it is a good step toward beating this habit back. I can't comment on anything else as I have never smoked but I won't judge...I just thought it amazing and good that you decided to share this with us.

Deb

Liz I am so sorry about you loosing your husband and cannot immagine how you cope. I too over the years wanted to quit several times and did for a while but for the most part I was told one thing at a time as I have severe mental illnesses anxiety disorder and paranoia to mention a few but that was enough for doctors and therapists to tell me deal with one issue at a time...my worst fear has always been gaining weight after weighing in at over 400lbs at one point in my life well smoking seemed the lesser of the evils..now I am still fighting with the gaining weight and have fought the mental illnesses to the point they are mostly under control...OC has brought smoking the front burner and I am dealing with it...I could never judge as we all have our weaknesses and our crosses to bear. Besides if you are anything like me you are beating yourself up enough over this. Please stop and give yourself enough credit for being human and when you are ready you just gotta try again...I just keep plugging away and one day at a time...you take care of yourself Liz you are dealing with a whole lot and you need to take care of you!!! I wish my arms were long enough to give you a great big hug. Life isn't easy or fair and you hold your head high and believe in yourself!

Liz,

No indignation on my part. My sisters both smoke, despite my family's incredibly high risk for cancers. One sister has already been treated for breast cancer, cut back during treatment, and went right back after treatment ended. I don't get indignant with them, mostly just sad that it is such an addictive thing that they can't beat, as much as they might want to. (Well, one sister wants to, the breast cancer survivor has never indicated a desire to quit.)

- Margaret