No Warnings on Cigarette Packs in the 60'S

By beverlydemarco

1 min read

I thought smoking was cool back in high school over 50 years ago, boy was I wrong! I would love to sue the tobacco company for not putting warnings on cigarettes years ago. I would have never started. I never drank or did drugs so I thought smoking was okay. Now I am suffering from stage 4 COPD. My whole day is taking inhalers and breathing exercises and nebulizer treatments and barely breathing, I can't walk far so I don't get out, I live by myself because I am a widow, I do have my family for help and support but I don't want to be a burden on them, they have their own families to worry about.

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Leon Lebowitz, RRT Member
Hi <inline-mention username="beverlydemarco" user-id="2407285"/>, and thanks so much for your post. I always look forward to your comments as you do provide a unique perspective (your very own!), at managing this condition. I admire your tenacity and you being able to continue to take care of yourself. I understand all your frustrations, which you have expressed here in your many welcome comments! It's understandable that you are sensitive about not being a 'burden' on your family _ I would imagine, if you were talk with them about it, that might not be their perspective at all. Perhaps if you were to give them more of a chance, they would be happy to provide the extra assistance that might just make your day a little easier. What do you think? We appreciate your comment about smoking, 'back then' - so many in our community have expressed similar sentiments about the habit (and the tobacco industry), so you are definitely not alone! Warm regards, Leon (site moderator <a href='https://copd.net' target='_blank'>COPD.net</a>)
Jackie English Moderator & Contributor
<inline-mention username="beverlydemarco" user-id="2407285"/> I agree. Smoking was always glamorized and I though my parents and their friends always made smoking look so fun and sophisticated. Thanks for sharing, Jackie (moderator) 
1. Jackie English Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="Leon Lebowitz, BA, RRT" user-id="2445532"/> yes. Don't they look like they are having the time of their lives?!?! Jackie ( moderator) 
2. Leon Lebowitz, RRT Member
 <inline-mention username="Jackie English" user-id="2415342"/> They sure do, Jackie!! It was truly a different era,, for sure! Leon (site moderator <a href='https://copd.net' target='_blank'>COPD.net</a>)
twovillages Member
It doesn't make sense that tobacco sales are not outlawed completely now. The tax coming in from tobacco sales is huge, and the government needs it to help fill in the large debt we're in. I guess it doesn't matter much how many people are suffering, especially now they are not just "speculating" about the dangers. It will be interesting to follow the recent initiatives proposed to stop selling menthol cigarettes that are very popular with some minority groups. We should follow closely. https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2021/04/29/statement-hhs-secretary-xavier-becerra-fda-tobacco-actions-menthol-cigarettes-flavored-cigars.html
Cruzer123 Member
My brother in law is a senior lawyer and was involved in a three year case against the tobacco companies in Europe as they fought to bring in plain packaging. He said they were total scumbags to deal with. They haven’t changed, are now trying to invent themselves as health companies and even want to get into the COPD medication market. Bizarre!
1. Leon Lebowitz, RRT Member
 <inline-mention username="Cruzer123" user-id="4239959"/> Hi again, Cruzer, and thanks for joining in this conversation about cigarettes, smoking, and the tobacco industry. That's quite a story about your brother-in-law and the lengthy law suit. What is really incredible, is you sharing the tobacco companies now trying to reinvent themselves! I thought you might get a chuckle out of these cigarette ads from yesteryear: <a href='https://www.google.com/search?q=glamorized+cigarette+ads&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjJqpnxrd7xAhWpKVkFHWHXAHcQ_AUoAXoECAEQAw&biw=1440&bih=729' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer ugc'>https://www.google.com/search?q=glamorized+cigarette+ads&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjJqpnxrd7xAhWpKVkFHWHXAHcQ_AUoAXoECAEQAw&biw=1440&bih=729</a>. Back then - this was all the rage! All the best, Leon (site moderator <a href='https://copd.net' target='_blank'>COPD.net</a>)
jake3600 Member
This is so true. I can remember even our doctors smoked back then!
1. tomboyer46 Member
 <inline-mention username="Leon Lebowitz, BA, RRT" user-id="2445532"/> Ah yes! How absolutely great it was of our military to include 3 cigarettes in our "field" lunch and dinner meals..If you did not smoke before you went in you most likely did leaving. However I can not blame them as my parents smoked and I started at 15...yep. 
2. Leon Lebowitz, RRT Member
 <inline-mention username="tomboyer46" user-id="4140736"/> Hi Tom - you've got it right! My buddies (from the Vietnam era), said the same thing. The stories they shared with me - well - some of them needed to smoke! Even my uncle (from the WWII era), shared with me he never thought he was coming back! So he smoked and even had a few tattoos. He was fortunate enough to return home and he shared with me it was the most foolish thing he had ever done. He gave up the smoking easily, but was stuck with the tattoos. He was happy to be alive but always regretted what he had done. All the best, Leon (site moderator <a href='https://copd.net' target='_blank'>COPD.net</a>)