Awareness About Pictorial Warnings on Tobacco Products Among Tobacco Users - A Questionnaire Study

Abstract

The World Health Organization has named tobacco products as one of the greatest causes for several diseases in the world . It has been estimated that 100 million deaths were caused by tobacco and its products in the 20th century. If this situation continues , there will be up to one billion deaths in the 21st century. The cigarettes packages serve as a cornerstone of tobacco marketing and advertising campaigns. The aim of this study is to assess the awareness about pictorial warnings on tobacco products in tobacco users among outpatients department of Private Dental college.The current study was a questionnaire based and it was conducted in the Saveetha Dental college ,Chennai,India . Nearly 180 tobacco users were recruited from the random sampling method .Only systemically healthy individuals with good mental health participated in the study. The data was collected by a self designed , close ended structure questionnaire which comprised 21 questions and was prepared and given to the participants. The results obtained from the participants were analysed and interpreted .Most of the study participants were males with the mean age of 30-50 years and 89% of the participants were aware of statutory and pictorial warnings present on the tobacco products. Majority of the subjects (75%) said pictorial representation on the tobacco packets does not refrain them from i tobacco intake. The pictorial warnings are helpful to some extent but require more strengthening to make pictorial health warnings easier to comprehend to assess the deleterious effects of tobacco by its consumers and general public.