Abstract
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration revealed new pictorial warning labels in June 2011 for cigarette packages, yet little
is known about how these labels are perceived by U.S. residents. We examined the reactions to and attitudes about the new
labels among residents of Appalachian Ohio, a region with a high smoking prevalence. We conducted focus groups with Appalachian
Ohio residents between July and October 2011. Participants included healthcare providers (n = 30), community leaders (n = 26), parents (n = 28), and young adult men ages 18-26 (n = 18). Most participants supported the addition of the new labels to U.S. cigarette packages, though many were unaware of
the labels prior to the focus groups. Participants did not think the labels would be effective in promoting smoking cessation
among smokers in their communities, but they were more positive about the potential of the labels to reduce smoking initiation.
Participants reported positive feedback about the more graphic labels, particularly those showing a man with a tracheal stoma
or a person with severe oral disease. The labels that include a cartoon image of an ill infant and a man who quit smoking
received the most negative feedback. Participants generally supported adding pictorial warning labels to U.S. cigarette packages,
but only a few of labels received mostly positive feedback. Results offer early insight into how the new labels may be received
if they are put into practice.
is known about how these labels are perceived by U.S. residents. We examined the reactions to and attitudes about the new
labels among residents of Appalachian Ohio, a region with a high smoking prevalence. We conducted focus groups with Appalachian
Ohio residents between July and October 2011. Participants included healthcare providers (n = 30), community leaders (n = 26), parents (n = 28), and young adult men ages 18-26 (n = 18). Most participants supported the addition of the new labels to U.S. cigarette packages, though many were unaware of
the labels prior to the focus groups. Participants did not think the labels would be effective in promoting smoking cessation
among smokers in their communities, but they were more positive about the potential of the labels to reduce smoking initiation.
Participants reported positive feedback about the more graphic labels, particularly those showing a man with a tracheal stoma
or a person with severe oral disease. The labels that include a cartoon image of an ill infant and a man who quit smoking
received the most negative feedback. Participants generally supported adding pictorial warning labels to U.S. cigarette packages,
but only a few of labels received mostly positive feedback. Results offer early insight into how the new labels may be received
if they are put into practice.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-10
- DOI 10.1007/s10900-012-9566-8
- Authors
- Paul L. Reiter, Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Suite 525, 1590 North High Street, Columbus, OH 43201, USA
- Benjamin Broder-Oldach, Division of Health Behavior and Health Promotion, College of Public Health, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
- Mary Ellen Wewers, Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
- Elizabeth G. Klein, Division of Health Behavior and Health Promotion, College of Public Health, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
- Electra D. Paskett, Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Suite 525, 1590 North High Street, Columbus, OH 43201, USA
- Mira L. Katz, Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Suite 525, 1590 North High Street, Columbus, OH 43201, USA
- Journal Journal of Community Health
- Online ISSN 1573-3610
- Print ISSN 0094-5145