Understanding Why Pictorial Cigarette Pack Warnings Increase Quit Attempts.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Our randomized trial found that pictorial cigarette pack warnings elicited more quit attempts than text-only warnings.

Purpose

In the current study, we sought to identify psychological mechanisms that explain why pictorial cigarette pack warnings change behavior.

Methods

In 2014 and 2015, we recruited 2,149 adult smokers in NC and CA, USA. We randomly assigned smokers to receive on their cigarette packs for 4 weeks either a text-only warning (one of the USA's current warnings on the side of cigarette packs) or a pictorial warning (one of the USA's proposed text warnings with pictures on the top half of the front and back of cigarette packs).

Results

Pictorial warnings increased attention to, reactions to, and social interactions about cigarette pack

SUBMITTER: Brewer NT 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6265120 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature