( CNN ) -- The new anti-smoking campaign launched by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is a smart move . This is the largest nationwide advertising effort the CDC has ever launched to combat tobacco addiction . By spending $ 54 million and playing stark and graphic advertisements throughout the country , the government hopes to drive home the message that smoking is harmful and that there is help for those who want to quit . Smoking and second-hand exposure to it is the leading cause of preventable death and chronic disease in the United States . Smoking-related illnesses , like cancer , cardiovascular and respiratory diseases , account for a very large proportion of costs on our health care system and economy . Anti-smoking symbol reveals 'worst moment ' Various communities , state and federal agencies have tried to educate the public about the adverse health effect of smoking by implementing smoke-free environmental policies , raising taxes on tobacco products , pushing out mass media campaigns and adding school programs . However , the tobacco industry easily outspends them and the combined campaign efforts of the American Cancer Society , the American Lung Association and the American Heart Association . With its ability to avoid regulatory restraints on its marketing strategies , the tobacco industry has considerable clout . And it would do everything it takes to beat back government policies that threaten its continued recruitment or retention of smokers . In 2009 , Congress passed a law that would allow the Food and Drug Administration to add warnings about smoking on cigarette packages , including a 1-800-QUIT-NOW hot line for smokers who want help with quitting . When the Food and Drug Administration required that tobacco companies put stronger graphic warning labels on cigarette packages , the industry sued , citing infringement of the First Amendment . The court ruled in February that the government can not require tobacco companies to use stronger labels . Given the legal setback , the question is whether the government can still somehow fulfill the legislative mandate , which was already compromised by lobbying that forced , for example , the omission of menthol from the banned additive substances in tobacco . ( As a result , the tobacco industry can continue exploiting new smokers , especially minority groups , with soothing menthol cigarettes that would otherwise be less appealing to smoke . ) With the congressional mandate in limbo , Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 's initiative comes at just the right time . By launching this campaign on television , in print and on the Internet , it is making up for what the FDA can not do at this point . As states and communities are hard hit by declining budgets , fighting Big Tobacco demands not only commitment , but also creativity and ingenuity . Perhaps one day , our courts will allow the government to add graphic warning messages about smoking on tobacco products . Other countries , such as Canada and Australia , have instituted those kinds of labels and have seen an effective reduction in smoking . America should take heed . Join us on Facebook/CNNOpinion . The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Lawrence W. Green .
The Centers for Disease Control launched a new anti-smoking campaign . Lawrence Green : This is a smart move , since the tobacco industry has a lot of clout . It's not just that they're big ; their products are also very popular and effective at reducing cigarette consumption among young people. Green : CDC 's effort is a way to continue the fight against Big Tobacco .