Graphic Health Warnings

• See also: other health effects

Tobacco product packaging also displays health information messages on diseases caused by tobacco use or tips on quitting smoking which are printed on the inside slider or leaflet. The regulations that allowed for these images became law in June 2000, making Canada the first country in the world to implement such strong labelling and reporting measures.

Studies have shown that tobacco can be harder to quit than heroin or cocaine. The facts behind this label

Your children are twice as likely to smoke if you do. Half of all premature deaths among life-long smokers result from tobacco use. The facts behind this label

Tobacco use during pregnancy reduces the growth of babies during pregnancy. These smaller babies may not catch up in growth after birth, and the risks of infant illness, disability, and death are increased. The facts behind this label

Cigarettes may cause sexual impotence due to decreased blood flow to the penis. This can prevent you from having an erection. The facts behind this label

Second-hand smoke contains carbon monoxide, ammonia, formaldehyde, benzo[a]pyrene and nitrosamines. These chemicals can harm your children. The facts behind this label

Tobacco use during pregnancy increases the risk of preterm birth. Babies born preterm are at an increased risk of infant death, illness and disability. The facts behind this label

Tobacco smoke can cause the arteries in your brain to clog. This can block the blood vessels and cause a stroke. A stroke can cause disability and death. The facts behind this label

• Note: Health Canada is not the copyright owner of the photograph used in the label shown above. Therefore, reproducing or downloading this image is prohibited.
  

Cigarette smoke causes oral cancer, gum diseases and tooth loss. The facts behind this label

• Note: Health Canada is not the copyright owner of the photograph used in the label shown above. Therefore, reproducing or downloading this image is prohibited. Adapted and reprinted with the permission of the Province of British Columbia.
  

Permission to use this image may be requested from the British Columbia Intellectual Property Program.

Murders -- 510; Alcohol -- 1,900; Car accidents -- 2,900; Suicides - 3,900; Tobacco - 45,000. The facts behind this label

Tobacco use causes crippling, often fatal lung diseases such as emphysema. The facts behind this label

Tobacco use can result in the clogging of arteries in your heart. Clogged arteries cause heart attacks and can cause death. The facts behind this label

• Note: Health Canada is not the copyright owner of the photograph used in the label shown above. Therefore, reproducing or downloading this image is prohibited.

Every cigarette you smoke increases your chance of getting lung cancer. The facts behind this label

85% of lung cancers are caused by smoking. 80% of lung cancer victims die within three years. The facts behind this label

• Note: Health Canada is not the copyright owner of the photograph used in the label shown above. Therefore, reproducing or downloading this image is prohibited.

Smoke from a lit cigarette contains toxic substances like hydrogen cyanide, formaldehyde and benzene. Second-hand smoke can cause death from lung cancer and other diseases. The facts behind this label

Tobacco smoke contains hydrogen cyanide. It can cause headaches, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vertigo, and stomach aches in smokers and non-smokers. The facts behind this label

The smoke from a cigarette is not just inhaled by the smoker. It becomes second-hand smoke, which contains more than 50 cancer-causing agents. The facts behind this label

Lung and brain images courtesy of the Australian National Tobacco Campaign

High-resolution JPG images can be downloaded for non-commercial purposes.