FDA issues graphic cigarette labels

APNewsBreak: FDA issues graphic cigarette labels
June 21, 2011, 10:13 a.m. PDT
Associated Press

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Rotting teeth. Diseased lungs. A corpse of a smoker.

Nine new warning labels that feature graphic images that convey the dangers of smoking will be required by the Food and Drug Administration to be on U.S. cigarette packs by 2012. Other images include a man with a tracheotomy smoking and a mother holding a baby with smoking swirling around them. The labels will include phrases like "Smoking can kill you" and "Cigarettes cause cancer."

The labels, which the FDA released Tuesday, are a part of the most significant change to U.S. cigarette packs in 25 years. They're aimed at curbing tobacco use, which is responsible for about 443,000 deaths in the U.S. a year. FULL STORY

There is something pretty psychotic about this.  And the punchline (if it was a joke) is- 

*The United States government owns all rights in the required warnings, which may not be used, reproduced, displayed, modified, or distributed except for purposes of displaying them on cigarette packaging (including cartons) and in cigarette advertising as required by 21 CFR part 1141 or with the express written permission of FDA or as permitted under the Copyright Act.