The federal government is hoping that grossing out the 16.7% of Canadians who still smoke will convince them to quit.
New rules are in place requiring health warning messages to cover 75% of the covers of all cigarette and cigarillo packages, both front and back, by June.
The hope is that people will give up their habit if they see photos of other smokers dying of cancer or pictures of cancerous body parts. Quitting rates have slowed, although smoking numbers are at an all-time low, and the government is forced to do something.
But will ugly packaging make the difference? Some argue that die-hard smokers who know the risks - and, seriously, who doesn't? - will still ignore the graphic messages while others argue for blank packaging.
Re-packaging is probably good on principle but is not likely to make much practical difference because smoking is just one of those things people do even though they know better.
What do you say? Do you think more graphicpackaging of cigarettes willconvince smokers to quit? Vote in our online poll.
