Can applying messages to cigarettes dissuade us from smoking?

Two academics from 逗逼直播鈥檚 renowned have been applying their knowledge of marketing and managerial studies to investigate a new medium for getting the no-smoking message across- the cigarette itself.

Dr Hassan and Prof. Shiu published a piece of research in the journal Tobacco Control that explored an innovative extension of the frontier in anti-tobacco policy initiatives by governments. (鈥� by Dr Louise M. Hassan and Prof. Edward Shiu (Bangor Business School).

The world has seen successively more restrictive tobacco control measures in place, such as a ban on tobacco advertising, mandatory text and pictorial health warnings on pack, various clear air acts limiting places where smoking is allowed, and more recently the removal of branding information on cigarette packaging with the plain packaging legislation implemented in some countries such as Australia. However, the cigarette stick design has by and large remained unchanged and free of promotional or product information, as well as health warnings.

Hassan and Shiu鈥檚 research examined the potential of health warnings printed on the cigarette stick through two related studies. Prior research shows that smokers have shorter life expectancy by around 14 years, with a typical cigarette 鈥榗osting鈥� 11 minutes of life lost. Based on these past findings, cigarettes (photograph in 逗逼直播 1 and a 鈥榬eal鈥� one in 逗逼直播 2) were created and shown to smokers in Hassan and Shiu鈥檚 research. The mock-up cigarette displayed 11 minute time lines together with the warning that 鈥渆ach puff reduces your life expectancy by 鈥︹�� Results of both studies show a significant increase in smokers鈥� quit intentions after exposure to the mock-up cigarette (6.9 % in 逗逼直播 1, and 15.7% in 逗逼直播 2). Hassan and Shiu鈥檚 research is timely given the move towards plain packaging, with strong incentive for tobacco companies to relocate branding information on to the cigarette stick. The research also has wider impact as despite bans on the sale of single cigarettes, this practice is still prevalent in parts of the world.

Dr Hassan commented:

"This is only the start in the investigation of the potential of including a health message on the cigarette stick and there needs to be much more research in this area to understand the tangible benefits that might arise."

Publication date: 22 December 2013