Australian University Student Perceptions of Health Messages on Cigarette Sticks

Drovandi, Aaron; Teague, Peta-Ann; Glass, Beverley; Malau‐Aduli, Bunmi S.

doi:10.1080/10410236.2019.1567442

Cited by 11 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 37 publications

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“… 2018 ; Drovandi et al. 2019a , 2019b , 2019c ). Given that some participants suggested that they would switch to rolling tobacco or use rolling tobacco papers to cover warnings on cigarettes, research with smokers of rolling tobacco would be fruitful, particularly in markets where this product has a significant share of the tobacco market.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…It is also possible that the findings were influenced by socially desirable responding. As wear-out is an issue with all warnings (Fischer et al 1993), with habituation raised within the groups, future research should consider additional, appropriate warning messages (Drovandi et al 2018;Drovandi et al 2019aDrovandi et al , 2019bDrovandi et al , 2019c. Given that some participants suggested that they would switch to rolling tobacco or use rolling tobacco papers to cover warnings on cigarettes, research with smokers of rolling tobacco would be fruitful, particularly in markets where this product has a significant share of the tobacco market.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Extending health messaging to the consumption experience: a focus group study exploring smokers’ perceptions of health warnings on cigarettes

Moodie

O’Donnell

Fleming

et al. 2019

Addiction Research & Theory

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Introduction: While most countries require health warnings on cigarette packs, the Scottish and Canadian Governments are considering requiring health warnings on cigarette sticks. Methods: Twenty focus groups were conducted in Glasgow and Edinburgh (Scotland) with smokers (n ¼ 120) segmented by age (16-17, 18-24, 25-35, 36-50, >50), gender and social grade, to explore perceptions of cigarettes displaying the warning 'Smoking kills' on the cigarette paper and any demographic differences in how smokers responded to these. Results: A warning on each cigarette was thought to prolong the health message, as it would be visible when a cigarette was taken from a pack, lit, left in an ashtray, and with each draw, and make avoidant behavior more difficult. That it would be visible to others was perceived as off-putting for some. It was felt that a warning on each cigarette would create a negative image and be embarrassing. Within several female groups they were viewed as depressing, worrying and frightening, with it suggested that people would not feel good smoking cigarettes displaying a warning. Within every group there was mention of warnings on cigarettes potentially having an impact on themselves, others or both. Some, mostly younger groups, mentioned stubbing cigarettes out early, reducing consumption or quitting. The consensus was that they would be off-putting for young people, nonsmokers and those starting to smoke. Conclusions: Including a warning on each cigarette stick is a viable policy option and one which would, for the first time, extend health messaging to the consumption experience.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Extending health messaging to the consumption experience: a focus group study exploring smokers’ perceptions of health warnings on cigarettes

Moodie

O’Donnell

Fleming

et al. 2019

Addiction Research & Theory

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…These preliminary studies received positive responses from participants but further research is needed to better evaluate the potential effectiveness of this form of public health intervention 19-26 . Subsequent research investigating the potential effectiveness of a wider range of health and non-health warnings also reported positive findings, with high perceived effectiveness ratings among several warnings and agreeability towards cigarette-stick warnings 27-29 . However, these studies largely involved non-smoking Australian participants.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…We then aimed to evaluate the perceptions of these smokers towards eight health warnings and messages on individual cigarette sticks, and identify those considered most effective in influencing smoker behaviours. Building on the findings of earlier studies 27-29 , we intended to assess how perceptions towards cigarette packaging and cigarette-stick warnings could lead to the development of effective cigarette-stick interventions that supplement packaging warnings, and overcome the weaknesses of packaging warnings as identified by participants. Finally, we also aimed to gauge participants’ support towards the inclusion of health warnings on individual cigarettes as a public health intervention to reduce tobacco use.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Smoker perceptions of health warnings on cigarette packaging and cigarette sticks: A four-country study

Drovandi¹,

Teague²,

Glass³

et al. 2019

Tob. Induc. Dis.

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INTRODUCTIONInnovations in tobacco control interventions are required to ensure continued reductions in global tobacco use, and to minimise attributable morbidity and mortality. We therefore aimed to investigate the perceived effectiveness of current cigarette packaging warnings and the potential effectiveness of cigarette-stick warnings across four countries.METHODSAn online survey was distributed to adult smokers in Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Participants rated (using a 5-point Likert scale) and commented on the effectiveness of current cigarette packaging warnings and text warnings on eight cigarette sticks that prompted smokers to quit. Ratings were analysed using proportional odds logistic regression, and comments were analysed using content analysis.RESULTSParticipants (N=678, mean age=44.3 years) from all four countries perceived cigarette packaging warnings as being minimally effective in prompting smokers to quit, citing desensitisation and irrelevance of the warnings, with US participants particularly critical of the text-only warnings. Compared to packaging warnings, the cigarette-stick warnings describing the financial costs of smoking and the effect of smoking on others, were the highest rated in all four countries (OR=3.42, 95% CI: 2.75–4.25, p<0.001 and OR=2.85, 95% CI: 2.29–3.55, p<0.001, respectively) and cited as strong messages to reduce smoking. Half of the participants either ‘agreed’ or ‘strongly agreed’ to the use of cigarette-stick warnings.CONCLUSIONSThe findings of this study suggest that cigarette packaging warnings may experience a loss of effectiveness over time, eventually resulting in minimal impact on smoker behaviour. Health and non-health focused warnings and messages on individual cigarette sticks represent a novel and potentially effective method for reducing tobacco use. This would complement tobacco control interventions currently employed, resulting in public health benefits.

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“…An additional study that interviewed packaging and marketing experts also found that the cigarette-stick warnings were considered a powerful deterrent 28. Two recent quantitative studies, one amongst school-aged students (aged 15–18 years) and one amongst university students, both found a trend of desensitization towards current packaging warnings, and a general acceptance towards cigarette-stick warnings, particularly those depicting novel and shorter-term warnings 29,30…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

<p>Do health warnings on cigarette sticks dissuade smokers and non-smokers? A focus group and interview study of Australian university students</p>

Drovandi¹,

Teague²,

Glass³

et al. 2019

PRBM

Self Cite

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Introduction: Young adults are a vulnerable population for experimentation with tobacco, which can lead to lifelong addiction. In an effort to ensure reductions in tobacco use through improved health promotion materials, we explored young adults’ perceptions of current Australian packaging warnings, and novel health warnings on individual cigarette sticks. Methods: Focus groups and interviews were conducted with smoking and non-smoking first-year undergraduate university students at a regional Australian university. Semi-structured questions were used to gather participant perceptions. Sixteen students participated across three focus groups, and eleven students participated in the phone interviews. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis in NVivo. Results: Six emergent themes were identified. Current cigarette packaging warnings were seen as ineffective, being disregarded by current smokers (theme 1), and seen as irrelevant by young adult smokers and non-smokers (theme 2). Several cigarette stick warnings were perceived as engaging and effective, due to the novelty of the cigarette stick as a medium (theme 3), and the proximal nature of the warnings used (theme 4). The warning depicting the financial consequences of smoking was considered the most effective, followed by the impact of smoking on personal appearance, and the “minutes of life lost” warning. Social media (theme 5), and the use of more supportive messages to assist smokers (theme 6) were considered the best next steps as tobacco control interventions. Conclusions: Supplementing packaging warnings which were seen as minimally effective in this study, using cigarette stick warnings and social media may lead to further reductions in tobacco use. New and relatable warnings such as the financial consequences of smoking and impact on personal appearance may be the most effective in dissuading young adults from smoking, particularly within the university environment.

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Australian University Student Perceptions of Health Messages on Cigarette Sticks

Cited by 11 publications

References 37 publications

Extending health messaging to the consumption experience: a focus group study exploring smokers’ perceptions of health warnings on cigarettes

Extending health messaging to the consumption experience: a focus group study exploring smokers’ perceptions of health warnings on cigarettes

Smoker perceptions of health warnings on cigarette packaging and cigarette sticks: A four-country study

<p>Do health warnings on cigarette sticks dissuade smokers and non-smokers? A focus group and interview study of Australian university students</p>

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