Abstract
BACKGROUND: Tobacco prevention studies show that graphic health warnings are more effective than text warnings, but there are no data on the effectiveness of different types of graphic health warnings in a Pakistani population. Even marginal differences in the effectiveness of genres can be of potential significance for public health. OBJECTIVE: To study the effectiveness of different types of graphic tobacco warnings in a Pakistani population. STUDY DESIGN: We presented ten anti-smoking warnings to randomly selected volunteers (n = 170) and recorded their opinion on the effectiveness of each warning. The warnings were based on a range of images aimed at the diverse population interviewed. A grading scale based on appeal, application, educational potential and motivation towards cessation was used to produce a composite grade of perceived effectiveness of the warning. RESULTS: Our results indicate that graphic warnings reach a greater proportion of the population than text warnings. Those appealing to logic, and those inculcating a sense of fear by showing a deleterious outcome of smoking, were judged likely to be most effective in motivating smokers to quit and preventing experimental smokers from forming a habit.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 356-361 |
| Number of pages | 6 |
| Journal | International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease |
| Volume | 14 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| State | Published - Mar 2010 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Anti-tobacco warnings
- Graphic health warnings
- Smoking cessation