WASHINGTON D.C. [USA]: According to a recent study, images of diseased body parts and smoking horror stories told by real people would be most influential in getting smokers to stop smoking.
At least 120 countries around the world require pictorial warning labels on cigarette packages.
For example, gangrene feet or a dead body. But the United States is notably missing from the list. Despite a 2009 Congressional act instructing the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to implement pictorial warning labels, American cigarette packs still contain text-only warnings. A new court order issued in September 2018 says the FDA must speed up its timeline for the implementation of pictorial warning labels.
A new research from the Annenberg School for Communication at the University of Pennsylvania aimed to contribute valuable research toward this end. Researchers analyzed more than 300 pictorial warning labels to determine which features most effectively get smokers to quit. They found that the testimonial frameworks and images of diseased body parts were the most effective individual features.
Better Skin, More Savings and Other Surprising Benefits Of Saying No To Smoking
Kick The Butt
11 Jun, 2018
Usually, the urge to smoke lasts only for a few minutes. Every time you feel the need to take a puff, drink lots of water to diminish the urge.
One of the main reasons behind the urge to smoke is due to stress. So, keep stress at bay by practicing yoga and involving yourself in therapeutic activities such as dancing, gardening, and playing your favourite sport.
Quitting smoking is the best thing you can do to yourself. Giving up smoking can reduce the risk of developing cancer and various other diseases. However, Pooja Duggal, CEO of HealthHunt, shares five other benefits of saying no to smoking.
Improved Senses
11 Jun, 2018
Smoking can dull your sense of taste and smell. However, the damage is reversible. A few days after quitting, your food will taste and smell better. With time, your sense of taste will restore to normal, and you will be able to enjoy your meals to the fullest.
Better Energy Levels
11 Jun, 2018
Once you quit smoking, the oxygen level goes up in your body. Oxygen boosts energy which further helps in physical activities. Ditching that pack of cigarettes might help you get those six pack abs.
Better, Younger Skin
11 Jun, 2018
Smoking can lead to premature signs of ageing like fine lines, sagging skin, wrinkles and uneven tone. By saying no to smoking, you can achieve a flawless and younger looking skin.
Extra Savings
11 Jun, 2018
Cigarettes have become more expensive than ever after GST of 28% on tobacco. If you smoke one cigarette per day at Rs 15, you end up spending Rs 450 per month. For people who smoke more than one cigarette, the value keeps increasing. For a month, if you put the money you spend on cigarettes and smoking materials in a piggy bank, you will be surprised to see how much you have been able to collect.
Jazmyne Sutton, lead author of the study, said, “Humans act in response to our emotions. When we feel a negative emotion–like fear, disgust, etc.–we want to avoid the source of that emotion.”
The study, “Perceived Effectiveness of Objective Features of Pictorial Warning Messages,” was published in Tobacco Control.
As part of the study, to analyze the various features used in pictorial warning labels, the researchers collected more than 300 warning labels from various sources. They used pictorial warning messages on cigarette packs in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom; pictorial warning messages proposed by the FDA that have not been implemented; a set of anti-smoking messages produced by tobacco companies; testimonial pictorial warning messages developed for an experimental study; and pictorial ads used in various local and national campaigns.
The researchers identified 48 objective features that could be present in the ads, including factors like image colour, photo type, the presence of male or female characters, presence of medical equipment, and argument type. They then recruited nearly 1,400 current smokers to view the ads and answer questions about how the ads affected them.
The researchers said they hope that this study can offer generalizable guidelines for label designers to create more effective pictorial warning messages, which will eventually impact smoking-related attitudes and promote behavior change. In upcoming studies, they will focus on the relationship between text that appears on the labels and the pictorial elements.
World No Tobacco Day: Smoking Can Hurt Eyes, Bones And Brain
Thrill Kills
31 May, 2018
Most smokers believe smoking is cool. No matter how you indulge in it, tobacco is harmful to your health. Tobacco contains over 7,000 toxins and 70 known carcinogens (chemicals that increase cancer risk) and can damage nearly every organ of the body.
Dr Sachin Kumar, Senior Consultant – Pulmonology at Sakra World Hospital explains how smoking affects every part of your body.
The next time you are tempted to take a drag, just pause for a minute and think of the consequences of your indulgence.
Brain
31 May, 2018
Smoking usually helps smokers relax on a short-term basis. But, it comes at a huge price in the long-term. Smoking results in addiction and anxiety. It alters the brain chemistry and can increase the risk of stroke.
Mouth and Throat
31 May, 2018
Cancer of mouth and throat is common among smokers. In addition, smoking can also result in gum disease, premature tooth loss, discolouration of teeth, etc.
Lungs
31 May, 2018
Lung cancer, one of the leading causes of death in the world, develops due to smoking. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease which causes difficulty in breathing is another common cause of death among smokers. Chronic Bronchitis, the inflammation of the bronchial tubes which also results in difficulty in breathing, is caused primarily due to smoking.
Smoking also increases the risk of other infections like pneumonia, tuberculosis, etc.
Heart
31 May, 2018
Smoking is one of the leading causes for heart diseases. Regular smokers, as well as second-hand/passive smokers, are at high risk of heart disease.
Tobacco also contributes to heart conditions by reducing the good cholesterol (HDL) and increasing the bad cholesterol (LDL and Triglycerides) in the body.
