CIGARETTE WARNINGS MAY GET GRIMMER YET

The skull-and-crossbones symbol of pirates and poison may one day emblazon
cigarette packages in Canada as a graphic health warning.

Backed by tobacco legislahon passed last year that allows Ottawa to order
changes in cigarette packaging, the Canadian government's department of
health is considering using the symbol to deter smokers from lighting up.

"We're gathering the evidence to find what would make effective health
warning messages and the skull and crossbones is one of the options we're
looking at," Dr. Murray Kaiserman, co-ordinator of research at the health
department office of tobacco control, said yesterday.

For years, tobacco companies have voluntarily printed health warnings on
cigarette packages sold in Canada. But health officials believe that even
such stark warnings as "Smoking can kill you" are losing their punch.

Checked-by: Melodi Cornett