I recently had the misfortune of seeing the new cigarette packs that features the really disturbing image of a mangled mouth. Even though I am not a smoker myself, I am quite ambivalent about that image. It makes a supposition that people are idiots who need such graphic reinforcement. People make conscious choices and are well-aware of the consequences. If you are 18 and above (the age at which you can be sold a pack), then you should be rational enough to judge the pros and cons of your actions. Maybe the image will deter young people from smoking or maybe it will just gross them out. But the government needs to take better steps to try to curb this like higher taxation, greater restriction and not resort to such facetious means.
LUBNA NAQVI
Lahore
