2 Objectives 1. To explore the noticeability of pictorial health warnings and perceptions of attractiveness and harmfulness towards plain cigarette packets and existing cigarette packets with 85% pictorial warnings in current smokers; 2. to compare the differences in perceptions of packaging in current smokers with different characteristics (i.e. by sex, age, the consumption level of cigarettes, nicotine dependence levels, and types of tobacco used for polytobacco product users); 3. to evaluate the effectiveness in reducing smoking consumption and promoting quit attempts; and 4. to assess the support for the legislation of plain packaging.
The present study will recruit at least 1,280 current smokers at smoking hotspots in Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, and the New Territories. Land-based, non-institutionalized Hong Kong residents aged 18 years and over who speak Cantonese or Putonghua are eligible to participate. Subjects will be shown dummies of branded and plain packets that differ in brand names and plain colours. Subjects will discuss their perceptions of attractiveness and harmfulness, noticeability of warnings and effectiveness in reducing smoking consumption and promoting quit attempts. Their opinions on the legislation of plain packaging will also be asked. After each interview, interviewers will debrief each interviewee on the harms of smoking and distribute a card providing a quitline and quitting methods.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
1,283
The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Percent of participants who perceive current branded packets as attractive
Perceived attractiveness towards existing cigarette packets with 15 percent brand logo
Time frame: Baseline
Percent of participants who perceive plain packets as harmful
Perceived harmfulness towards plain packets
Time frame: Baseline
Noticeability of pictorial warnings
Noticeability of pictorial warnings of plain cigarette packets and existing cigarette packets with 85% pictorial warnings in current smokers will be compared
Time frame: Baseline
Perceived effectiveness
The effectiveness in reducing smoking consumption and promoting quit attempts
Time frame: Baseline
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.