The art of the subtle anti-smoking campaign.

I just had to dedicate one quick post to British cigarette laws because every time I see a cigarette container, I think 'this can't be real.' The first time a friend pulled out a cigarette container, I honestly thought it was a joke novelty item they bought from some English equivalent of Spencers Gifts because the warnings on the boxes are, well, not so subtle. We have the tiny "surgeon general's warning" on our boxes, but they go waaaaay beyond that. It's hard to describe, so I've posted actual pictures below. All I have to say is: Bravo, British lawmakers; bravo. Once a kid sees the cig container with the pic of the gaping sore protruding from the alleged smoker's throat, there ain't no way he's starting the habit. That specific container, next to the picture, reads: "Smoking can cause a slow and painful death." I can't make this stuff up. (Note: I left out that one picture for those of you with fainter stomachs. Personally, it gives me the willies.)

It seems that the British also realize how extreme these warnings look, as I noticed that my smoothie container poked a little fun at it. See below.

If you can't read the writing under the first warning, it says: "Of course, if you fired it from a rocket launcher..." Bloody brilliant.