Are Some of the Cigar Warnings Mandated in the U.S. More Believable Than Others?

Jarman, Kristen L.; Kowitt, Sarah D.; Ross, Jennifer Cornacchione; Goldstein, Adam O.

doi:10.3390/ijerph14111370

Cited by 10 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…For pack branding, the no branding condition was used to represent a pack similar to one with plain packaging (e.g., no stylized font or brand logos). Lastly, warnings covered approximately 25% of the bottom of the pack, with cigar-specific mandated warning text (which also applies to cigarillos) [ 38 ] rated to be highly believable among U.S. adults—“WARNING: Cigar Smoking Can Cause Lung Cancer and Heart Disease” [ 39 ]; the pictorial warning showed a diseased heart.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The effect of cigarillo packaging elements on young adult perceptions of product flavor, taste, smell, and appeal

et al. 2018

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IntroductionProduct packaging has long been used by the tobacco industry to target consumers and manipulate product perceptions. This study examines the extent to which cigarillo packaging influences perceptions of product flavor, taste, smell, and appeal.MethodsA web-based experiment was conducted among young adults. Participants viewed three randomly selected cigarillo packs, varying on pack flavor descriptor, color, type, branding, and warning—totaling 180 pack images. Mixed-effects models were used to estimate the effect of pack elements on product perceptions.ResultsA total of 2,664 current, ever, and never little cigar and cigarillo users participated. Cigarillo packs with a flavor descriptor were perceived as having a more favorable taste (β = 0.21, p < .001) and smell (β = 0.14, p < .001) compared to packs with no flavor descriptor. Compared to packs with no color, pink and purple packs were more likely to be perceived as containing a flavor (β = 0.11, p < .001), and were rated more favorably on taste (β = 0.17, p < .001), smell (β = 0.15, p < .001), and appeal (β = 0.16, p < .001). While warnings on packs decreased favorable perceptions of product taste (pictorial: β = -0.07, p = .03) and smell (text-only: β = -0.08, p = .01; pictorial: β = -0.09, p = .007), warnings did not moderate the effects of flavor descriptor or color.ConclusionsTo our knowledge, this study provides the first quantitative evidence that cigarillo packaging alters consumers’ cognitive responses, and warnings on packs do not suffice to overcome the effects of product packaging. The findings support efforts at federal, state, and local levels to prohibit flavor descriptors and their associated product flavoring in non-cigarette products such as cigarillos, along with new data that supports restrictions on flavor cues and colors.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The effect of cigarillo packaging elements on young adult perceptions of product flavor, taste, smell, and appeal

et al. 2018

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“…Second, they did not comply with the guidance to rotate messages, instead using the same general warning (‘cigars are not a safe alternative to cigarettes’) that does not warn about specific risks, as do other cigar warnings 18. Indeed, this cigar warning might be less believable and effective than others 19 20. Furthermore, this message might remind audiences about perceived similarities to cigarettes, potentially reinforcing perceptions that LFCs are a viable alternative.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Characteristics of Cheyenne little filtered cigar Instagram ads, 2019–2020

et al. 2022

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IntroductionLittle is known about little filtered cigar (LFC) marketing on social media. We examined the characteristics of Instagram posts by Cheyenne—a popular LFC brand—from 2019 to 2020.MethodsWe conducted a content analysis of 323 images posted in 2019 and 2020. Descriptive statistics were examined, and χ2 and Fisher’s exact tests were used to test differences by year.ResultsMost posts (76.0%) showed ≥1 pack and/or LFC stick, which look highly similar to cigarette packs and sticks. The pack was often flavoured (62.2%). Images of lit LFC sticks increased from 2019 (12.2%) to 2020 (26.7%, p=0.005). Warning labels were present on the ad in 79.9% of posts, but always at the bottom, and used the same single warning statement that they are not a safe alternative to cigarettes. The depiction of people nearly doubled from 2019 (18.1%) to 2020 (34.8%, p=0.001), and women (50.6%) were more commonly depicted than men (32.1%). Popular depictions and themes included the outdoors (57.6%) and seasonal imagery (36.2%) among others.DiscussionCheyenne actively used Instagram to market its product and grow its brand. Posts seemed designed to promote the similarity of their LFC to cigarettes, through depictions of cig-a-like packs/sticks. Although warning labels were prevalent on Cheyenne Instagram posts, the warnings were not compliant with FDA warning guidelines and might have been counterproductive by emphasising their viability as cigarette alternatives rather than their dangerous health effects. Future surveillance is needed, and regulation of LFC advertising on social media may be warranted.

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“…Despite evidence to the contrary, cigars are sometimes perceived as less harmful than cigarettes, and misunderstandings persist around the harms of cigar smoking [ 42 , 43 , 44 ]. In fact, in studies of cigar labeling, participants have found warnings stating that cigars are not a safe alternative to cigarettes to be less believable than other warnings [ 31 , 32 ]. Of concern, our findings indicate that dual cigar/cigarette users are less likely to notice cigar warnings; while this could result from such users having become accustomed or even desensitized to tobacco warnings in general, our data do not allow us to confirm the reason for this finding.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…While there is a substantial body of research concerning cigarette warning labels, research pertaining to cigar warning labels is more limited. Studies thus far have indicated utility of different strategies for potentially improving cigar warnings, such as incorporating pictorials [ 27 , 28 , 29 ] or emphasizing cardiovascular and respiratory health effects [ 30 , 31 , 32 ]. Other research indicates that pack factors such as background color and personal characteristics such as susceptibility to smoking and prior product use can influence warning awareness and response [ 33 , 34 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cigar Warning Noticing and Demographic and Usage Correlates: Analysis from the United States Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health Study, Wave 5

Gratale

Teotia

Chen-Sankey

et al. 2022

IJERPH

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Although cigars pose health risks similar to cigarettes, their packaging/marketing is not subject to commensurate regulation in the US. In a 2000 agreement with the Federal Trade Commission, seven major manufacturers agreed to use some form of cigar warning. In 2016, the Food and Drug Administration passed a rule requiring larger standardized warnings, but the requirement was successfully challenged in court. Here, we examined U.S. population-level trends in noticing existing cigarillo, traditional and filtered cigar warnings. We analyzed Wave 5 Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health adult data to assess prevalence of past-30 day warning noticing and associations with socio-demographic and tobacco use variables. Noticing was higher among current users of cigarillos (27%), filtered (34%) and traditional cigars (21%), than non-users (8% for each product, p’s < 0.0001), and among every-day vs. some-day users, established vs. experimental users, and past-30 day users vs. those without past-30 day use. Results varied by product, but generally indicated lower noticing among non-Hispanic Whites and dual cigarette users, but higher noticing among those purchasing cigars by the box/pack (vs. not purchasing for themselves). Low overall noticing but higher prevalence among frequent users underscores a need for a stronger, uniform cigar warning label policy in the US.

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Are Some of the Cigar Warnings Mandated in the U.S. More Believable Than Others?

Cited by 10 publications

References 20 publications

The effect of cigarillo packaging elements on young adult perceptions of product flavor, taste, smell, and appeal

The effect of cigarillo packaging elements on young adult perceptions of product flavor, taste, smell, and appeal

Characteristics of Cheyenne little filtered cigar Instagram ads, 2019–2020

Cigar Warning Noticing and Demographic and Usage Correlates: Analysis from the United States Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health Study, Wave 5

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