2007年VOA标准英语-Studies Show Cigarette Warning Labels Can Influ

By Carol Pearson
Washington
25 April 2007
 

Do warning labels about health hazards on cigarettes help people to quit smoking?  New research shows they at least cause people to think about what they are doing. 

The World Health Organization is concerned that the money used to treat cancer and other diseases caused by tobacco could be better used to treat diseases that are not currently preventable.

VOA's Carol Pearson reports on an international effort to reduce smoking.

A leading researcher predicted, "A billion people are projected to be killed by tobacco use throughout the world this century."

Psychologist Geoffrey Fong heads a major international study to evaluate tobacco control policies in more than 100 countries.

He cites statistics that show smoking as the second leading cause of death in the world, a cause of death and suffering that can be prevented.

Warning label on cigerettes sold in U.S.

Most countries require warnings about health risks on every pack of cigarettes.

But Fong's research shows the effectiveness of the labels varies greatly.

In the United States, warning labels are printed on the side of the cigarette package.

And here is what some smokers¹ at the Voice of America say about these labels.

One man says, "I know it's there, but I don't look at it." Another remarked, "You know, I don't pay a lot of attention to the warning labels here in the United States, because I don't even see it.

Fong's research shows theirs is the typical American's response.

Now, look at what Canadians see when they smoke:  graphic² images of gum disease, lung cancer, children and babies subject to second hand smoke, and information about tobacco... that it can be harder to quit cigarettes than quitting heroin³ or cocaine⁴.

Images that cover half the cigarette pack are hard to ignore.  

Mil Arcega, a Canadian, agrees. "I do recall every time I looked at these warning labels, I would have to stop and think, oh my God, because these warning labels are so scary."

For warning labels to be effective, research shows they have to make you react emotionally.  That is a tool tobacco companies use to sell cigarettes.

Professor Paul Slovik from the University of Oregon adds, "Of course, tobacco advertisers and marketers have known this for years.  That's the whole centerpiece for their advertising⁵ -- to get people to associate very positive imagery, you know, beautiful people doing exciting things in beautiful places with their cigarette product."

Professor Slovik co-authored another study that shows warning labels and other media can reduce the number of teenagers who smoke. They also can encourage smokers to quit.

The World Health Organization is sponsoring a treaty to require warning labels to cover at least a third of the front and back of cigarette packs.  Out of the 168 countries to signed the treaty, 145 have ratified⁶ it.  The United States signed the treaty but did not ratify⁷ it.

1 smokers   

吸烟者( smoker的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Many smokers who are chemically addicted to nicotine cannot cut down easily. 许多有尼古丁瘾的抽烟人不容易把烟戒掉。
• Chain smokers don't care about the dangers of smoking. 烟鬼似乎不在乎吸烟带来的种种危害。

2 graphic   

adj.生动的，形象的，绘画的，文字的，图表的

参考例句：

• The book gave a graphic description of the war.这本书生动地描述了战争的情况。
• Distinguish important text items in lists with graphic icons.用图标来区分重要的文本项。

3 heroin   

n.海洛因

参考例句：

• Customs have made their biggest ever seizure of heroin.海关查获了有史以来最大的一批海洛因。
• Heroin has been smuggled out by sea.海洛因已从海上偷运出境。

4 cocaine   

n.可卡因，古柯碱（用作局部麻醉剂）

参考例句：

• That young man is a cocaine addict.那个年轻人吸食可卡因成瘾。
• Don't have cocaine abusively.不可滥服古柯碱。

5 advertising   

n.广告业；广告活动 a.广告的；广告业务的

参考例句：

• Can you give me any advice on getting into advertising? 你能指点我如何涉足广告业吗?
• The advertising campaign is aimed primarily at young people. 这个广告宣传运动主要是针对年轻人的。

6 ratified   

v.批准，签认（合约等）( ratify的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• The treaty was declared invalid because it had not been ratified. 条约没有得到批准，因此被宣布无效。
• The treaty was ratified by all the member states. 这个条约得到了所有成员国的批准。

7 ratify   

v.批准，认可，追认

参考例句：

• The heads of two governments met to ratify the peace treaty.两国政府首脑会晤批准和平条约。
• The agreement have to be ratify by the board.该协议必须由董事会批准。