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Effects of Large Cigarette Warning Labels on Smokers' Expected Longevity
Lucy Popova1, Johannes Thrul1, Stanton A Glantz2
1Center for Tobacco Control Research and Education, University of California, San Fransisco CA.
American Journal of Health Behavior
|February 21, 2018
Summary
Cigarette warning labels, both text and pictorial, help smokers more accurately estimate their lifespan. This study found that these warnings reduced overestimations of longevity among smokers.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Behavioral Science
- Health Communication
Background:
- Smokers often underestimate smoking's health risks and overestimate their lifespan.
- Misperceptions about longevity may contribute to continued smoking behavior.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of text and pictorial warning labels on smokers' perceptions of longevity.
- To assess if warning labels can correct misperceptions about the health risks of smoking.
Main Methods:
- An online study randomized 1200 smokers into three groups: text warnings, pictorial warnings, or control (water bottle labels).
- Participants rated their expected longevity and chances of surviving to age 75 after viewing warning labels.
- Analyses controlled for smoking frequency and self-rated health.
Main Results:
- Both text and pictorial warning labels significantly reduced smokers' expected longevity compared to the control group.
- Participants exposed to warnings showed lower estimates for both overall lifespan and survival to age 75.
- No significant difference was found between the effectiveness of text versus pictorial warning labels.
Conclusions:
- Large-scale text or pictorial warning labels on cigarette packaging can improve smokers' realistic understanding of smoking's impact on lifespan.
- Warning labels may serve as an effective tool in public health campaigns to mitigate smoking-related misperceptions.