A new ad campaign targeting smoking teens are graphic in nature, and critics say, are effective. The latest series of ads by the Food and Drug Administration are titled "The Real Cost."

The ads feature teens buying cigarettes in a convenience store by placing $5 on the counter, to which the clerk replies, "It's not enough." As it turns out, he's not talking about money, rather what smoking will cost you health-wise.

It is graphic and very disturbing, but will it stop kids form taking up smoking? Despite the warning labels on cigarette packaging, more than 3,000 teens try smoking each day and about 700 become regular smokers, according to the new data by the FDA.

Also announced this week, CVS Caremark announced Wednesday it will stop selling cigarettes and other tobacco products at its CVS/pharmacy stores by October 1, 2014.

The chain, which has 7,600 stores nationwide, is the first chain of pharmacies to make the move. In a statement, the CEO and president Larry J. Merlo said, "Put simply, the sale of tobacco products is inconsistent with our purpose."

President Barack Obama and other health-based pubications and organizations praised the move but halting it's cigarette sales comes at a price. According to CNN, CVS Caremark estimates it will take an annual loss of $2 billion from smokers.

Smoking, no doubt, has been proven to be a great cost on the wallet and health. What does it take to quit for good? If you are ready to quit, thinking about quitting, or know someone who wants to quit, The South Dakota QuitLine is ready to help with free services and support designed to help you kick the habit for good.

Call them at 1-800-SD-QUITS or click SDQuits.org

source: CNN News

 

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