Thank you.
The overwhelming proportion of smokers begin as a teenagers or pre-teens. The smoking rate for youths 15 to 19 is 13%, which is unacceptably high. Every month that there's a delay in these new warnings coming into force, there will be a delay in preventing kids from starting. Some may experiment, but for some these messages are going to prevent them from becoming regular smokers, addicted smokers.
We know that they have worked. There's an abundant number of studies, and we've seen that the current round of picture warnings is associated with a reduction in youth smoking. There have also been restrictions on advertising and higher tobacco taxes, but the warnings have been an important factor. Once you're addicted, it's very difficult to quit, and a person could step on a treadmill to disease and death.