Adolescent’s Attitudes Towards Health Warning Message on Cigarette Packs
Journal name: The Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences
Original article title: Adolescent’s Attitudes Towards Health Warning Message on Cigarette Packs
The Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences (MJMS) is a peer-reviewed, open-access journal published online at least six times a year. It covers all aspects of medical sciences and prioritizes high-quality research.
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Original source:
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Zulkifli Ahmad, Rogayah Jaafar, Razlan Musa, Nyi Nyi Naing
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The Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences:
(A peer-reviewed, open-access journal)
Full text available for: Adolescent’s Attitudes Towards Health Warning Message on Cigarette Packs
Year: 2001
Copyright (license): CC BY 4.0
Summary of article contents:
Introduction
This study examines the smoking habits and attitudes of 190 secondary four male students from three schools in Kota Bharu, Malaysia, regarding health warning messages on cigarette packs. Among the students surveyed, 30% were current smokers, 23.7% were ex-smokers, and 46.3% had never smoked. Both smokers and non-smokers showed a high awareness of the current health warning message displayed on cigarette packs, but there was a consensus that the existing warning is ineffective at motivating smokers to quit. The study aims to assess perceptions of alternative health messages that could potentially be more impactful.
Effectiveness of Health Warning Messages
The research revealed that while a majority of students could recognize the current health warning, they felt it lacked effectiveness in prompting cessation among smokers. Students suggested that diverse and rotating health messages could improve effectiveness. The alternative messages particularly highlighted included those emphasizing the dangers of smoking during pregnancy and the risks cigarette smoke poses to children, which garnered higher perceived effectiveness scores compared to the existing message, "Smoking is dangerous to your health." Additionally, a notable 80% of students recommended that health warnings should be prominently placed on the front of cigarette packs rather than the side, underscoring the importance of visibility and accessibility in health communication.
Conclusion
The findings of this study indicate the necessity for revising and enhancing the existing mandated health warning messages on cigarette packs in Malaysia to better deter smoking, especially among adolescents. Implementing changes in size, location, color, and content of these warnings could significantly increase their impact on smoking cessation efforts. The research supports the idea that a comprehensive tobacco control strategy, inclusive of effective health messaging, could help reduce tobacco consumption, aligning Malaysia with other countries successful in combating smoking-related health issues.
FAQ section (important questions/answers):
What percentage of the surveyed students were current smokers?
In the survey, 30.0% of the students, or 57 out of 190, were identified as current smokers.
How effective did students find the current health warning messages?
Students rated the effectiveness of the current health warning message as low, with an average score of 2.64 out of 5, indicating it was not motivating smokers to quit.
What alternative health messages did students prefer?
Students preferred messages like ‘Smoking during pregnancy can harm your baby’ and ‘Tobacco smoke can harm your children’, which received higher scores, indicating they might be more motivating.
Where do students think health warning messages should be displayed?
A significant 80.0% of students believed that health warning messages should be placed on the front of cigarette packs instead of the side for better visibility and effectiveness.
Glossary definitions and references:
Scientific and Ayurvedic Glossary list for “Adolescent’s Attitudes Towards Health Warning Message on Cigarette Packs”. This list explains important keywords that occur in this article and links it to the glossary for a better understanding of that concept in the context of Ayurveda and other topics.
1) Study (Studying):
The study focused on examining the smoking habits of adolescents in Kota Bharu, aiming to assess their attitudes towards health warning messages on cigarette packs. Understanding these attitudes helps evaluate the effectiveness of current strategies and informs improvements that could encourage smoking cessation among youth, a vital public health concern.
2) Male (Mālē):
The participants in the study were exclusively male secondary four students. This specification is relevant as it highlights gender differences in smoking prevalence, attitudes, and perceptions, suggesting the need for tailored interventions that consider specific demographic factors in the development of health promotion strategies.
3) Table:
Tables within the text present data summaries, offering a clear format for displaying research findings. They facilitate the comparison of scores regarding the effectiveness of health warning messages among different student categories. Tables are essential for conveying complex information succinctly, enabling easy interpretation by readers.
4) Perception:
Perception refers to how the students interpret and understand the effectiveness of health warning messages on cigarette packs. This concept is crucial as it directly influences behavioral responses, such as quitting smoking. The study's findings on perceptions signify the importance of crafting targeted, impactful messages to resonate with adolescents.
5) Developing:
The term 'developing' pertains to countries like Malaysia, where the study was conducted. This context underscores the unique challenges faced in tobacco control and public health in these regions. It suggests that approaches successful in developed nations might need adaptation to fit the socio-economic and cultural landscape of developing nations.
6) Disease:
The mention of disease in relation to smoking emphasizes the severe health consequences associated with tobacco use. The study highlights various diseases linked to smoking, aiming to provoke thought regarding the risks. Understanding these risks is essential for conveying the urgency of effective health warning messages.
7) Cancer:
Cancer is specifically identified as a critical health risk associated with smoking. Its inclusion within health warnings capitalizes on the fear factor that may resonate strongly with adolescents. This relevance indicates a strategic approach to smoking prevention messaging, highlighting specific health effects to motivate behavior changes in youth.
8) Kota (Koṭa):
Kota refers to Kota Bharu, the geographic location of the study. The city's cultural and demographic characteristics are integral for understanding local smoking trends, youth behaviors, and attitudes toward health messaging. This localized focus allows for tailored health interventions that reflect the specific needs and circumstances of its residents.
9) Surface:
Surface relates to the physical placement of health warnings on cigarette packs. The effectiveness of these messages can be significantly impacted by visibility and accessibility to consumers. This study draws attention to how strategic placement on the pack's surface affects the likelihood of engaging smokers and non-smokers alike.
10) Bhalla:
Bhalla is referenced in the context of prior research on health warnings. Citing established studies lends credibility to the discussion around improving health messaging formats, efficacy, and consumer psychology. The inclusion of external references further aligns the study with broader academic discourse on tobacco control and public health.
11) Bharu (Bhāru):
Bharu is part of Kota Bharu, emphasizing the localized nature of the research amidst the study's focus on Malaysian adolescents. Understanding regional factors adds dimension to the research, suggesting that effective smoking prevention strategies must consider local cultural contexts and resonate with the community's specific health landscape.
12) Sign:
Sign refers to health warning signs placed on cigarette packaging. The study assesses the impact these signs have on smoking behavior and attitudes. The design and context of these signs are crucial for effectively communicating risks, ultimately shaping smokers' perceptions and encouraging reductions in tobacco consumption.
13) Measurement:
Measurement pertains to the methodologies employed in assessing smoking behavior and perceived effectiveness of health warnings. It includes tools like the 'bogus pipeline technique' to enhance accuracy in self-reporting. Valid measurement is essential for reliable data collection, analysis, and deriving meaningful conclusions about adolescent smoking habits.
14) Reliability:
Reliability in the study context assures that the results are consistent and trustworthy. It is particularly significant when discussing self-reported smoking habits. Ensuring reliability reinforces the study's credibility, enabling stakeholders to trust the conclusions drawn and implement strategies based on demonstrated adolescent attitudes and behaviors.
15) Discussion:
The discussion section interprets the findings and places them within the broader context of public health and tobacco control. It allows for exploration of implications, recommendations for policy change, and highlights gaps that require further research. This critical analysis is key for understanding the study's contributions to existing knowledge.
16) Education:
Education is integral in encouraging awareness about the risks of smoking. The study highlights the importance of educational interventions that promote understanding of health hazards, particularly among adolescents. Effective education strategies can significantly alter perceptions, motivating changes in behavior that reduce tobacco use and improve public health outcomes.
17) Language:
Language in this study is significant for ensuring accessibility and comprehension among participants. The questionnaires were provided in Malay to enhance understanding. Language choice directly influences participants' engagement and the quality of feedback received, thus impacting overall reliability and validity of the research findings.
18) Lighting:
Lighting is metaphorically connected to the visibility of health messages. The study suggests that health warnings should be prominently displayed so they are the first thing consumers see. Better visibility is expected to enhance awareness and effectiveness of such warnings, ultimately leading to increased recognition of smoking risks.
19) Science (Scientific):
Science is foundational in the study's methodology, analysis, and conclusions drawn about smoking behaviors and health messaging. It guides the research design, ensuring systematic and evidence-based approaches are utilized to evaluate smoking effects and the impact of health messages on adolescents, promoting a rational approach to public health.
20) Noise:
Noise refers to the surrounding environmental factors that may obscure the effectiveness of health messages. The study notes that to cut through the noise, health warnings must be distinct and attention-grabbing. This underscores the necessity for innovative and creatively designed messages to ensure they reach the intended audience effectively.
21) Drug:
Drug is relevant as it contextualizes cigarettes as addictive substances and associates smoking with broader discussions of addiction. This frames smoking within the health discourse, urging recognition of its serious implications. Understanding tobacco as a drug reinforces the urgency for effective tobacco control interventions targeting adolescent populations.
Other Health Sciences Concepts:
Discover the significance of concepts within the article: ‘Adolescent’s Attitudes Towards Health Warning Message on Cigarette Packs’. Further sources in the context of Health Sciences might help you critically compare this page with similair documents:
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