Impact of smokeless tobacco packaging on perceptions and beliefs among youth, young adults, and adults in the U.S: findings from an internet-based cross-sectional survey

Abstract

BackgroundResearch demonstrates that tobacco packaging elements (including health warning labels, descriptive characteristics, and corporate branding) are associated with knowledge of health risks and product appeal with cigarettes. Yet, little research has assessed this with smokeless tobacco (SLT) packaging. This study evaluates the association between three SLT packaging elements with knowledge of health risks and perceptions of novelty and appeal. Additionally, we assess how effects of these messages may differ across age groups, including youth (14-17 years), young adults (18-25 years), and older adults (26-65 years).Methods1000 participants were administered a web-based survey in 2010 and shown three sets of SLT packs in random order, varied by descriptor (flavor descriptor vs. none), warning label format (graphic vs. text), and corporate branding (branded vs. plain packaging). Participants rated the packs compared with “no difference” on appeal, novelty, and risk perceptions associated with product use. Chi-square tests were used to test for significant differences in pack selections. Multinomial regression was employed to evaluate the association between effects of packaging elements and participant age.ResultsMore respondents selected the pack with the graphic warning label as the pack to make them consider the health risks associated with SLT use, attract their attention, and be least attractive to a smoker. The product with the text warning label was the product someone their age would want to be seen using and would appeal to peers. The SLT pack with the flavor descriptor was not associated with health risks associated with product use. The pack with corporate branding was selected as more appealing, to attract attention, and one they would want to be seen using; the plain pack was less attractive to smokers. Youth and young adults were more likely to indicate that pack elements affected their perceptions of appeal and risk associated with SLT products.ConclusionThese results suggest that SLT pack characteristics have a measurable effect on perceptions of health risk and product appeal. Future research should assess these findings in the context of harm reduction. Specifically, research is needed to determine whether pack elements on SLT products can effectively convey risk and harm.

Perceived effectiveness of text and pictorial health warnings for smokeless tobacco packages in Navi Mumbai, India, and Dhaka, Bangladesh: findings from an experimental study

“…To the best of our knowledge, only two published studies32 33 have experimentally tested attributes of smokeless tobacco health warnings: one in the USA and one in Canada. The US study32 examined design elements such as flavour descriptors and corporate branding, in addition to pictorial versus text health warnings.…”

“…The US study32 examined design elements such as flavour descriptors and corporate branding, in addition to pictorial versus text health warnings. The findings demonstrated that pictorial warnings made respondents more likely to consider the health risks of smokeless tobacco use (vs text-only warnings).…”

Evaluating the Effectiveness of a One Point Psycho-Educational Intervention for Smokeless Tobacco Users Delivered in an Outpatient Department in India

“…Based on some research findings it has been found that the graphic and text warnings on SLT products are robustly associated with the perception of health risk and appeal of the product [20,21]. This goes on to prove our point that repeated awareness about the ill effects of tobacco consumption in any form, be it psycho-education; psychotherapeutics, branding or legislation has a positive co-relation with reducing tobacco intake.…”

Perceived Flavored Smokeless Tobacco Ease-of-use and Youth Susceptibility

“…33 Youth shown tobacco packages with or without a flavor descriptor (primarily snus and dissolvable tobacco) were more likely than older adults to associate the flavor descriptor with better taste, more appeal, and reduced health risks. 34 …”