According to a recent survey by Chinese Association on Tobacco Control, nearly 80 percent of 5,230 respondents approve of warning pictures on Chinese cigarette packages while about 77 percent said they won't gift someone such packs. The result might be important for China's smoking control efforts. By evoking people's distaste, the graphic warnings are more effective in encouraging people to quit smoking than text messages. Besides, adolescents are more likely to be deterred from having their first smoke when they come across such repugnant pictures. Nowadays cigarette smokers in 115 countries and regions are forced to reflect on their addiction as they stare at grotesque images of throats and lungs mandated by governments. It is urgent for China to catch up and label graphic warnings on cigarette packages to deter over 316 million Chinese smokers so that the country can achieve its target of reducing the smoking rate according to the Healthy China 2030 blueprint.

Illustrations: Peter C. Espina/Global Times