Health Warning Labels on Tobacco Products: A Review

Journal Title: International Journal of Health Sciences and Research - Year 2017, Vol 7, Issue 1

Abstract

Tobacco is the most common cause of preventable death in the world. Majority of people are unaware of, misunderstand or underestimate the health risks due to tobacco and tobacco smoke. Health warnings were first introduced on cigarette packages in the USA in 1965. Ten years later in 1975, the Government of India passed similar legislation. In 2003 WHO framework convention on tobacco control (FCTC) provides guidelines for effective packaging and labeling of tobacco product. Since then there has been a transition from text only to pictorial and graphic form of health warnings with plain packaging emerging as a new trend. Studies have favored pictorial health warning labels over text messages. Messages on these packs would generate exposure far outweighing than from other ant tobacco communications. Tobacco product packaging is a key part of marketing efforts to make tobacco use appealing and how the same packaging can be used to communicate the health risks to consumers is the challenge faced by the regulators. Studies have favoured the inclusion of health warning labels especially pictorial health warning labels over text and graphic images over pictures to increase the impact of health warning labels irrespective of age, gender, race, education and socioeconomic status. More research in the area is recommended to counter the opposition of tobacco industry against health warning labels and to make them more effective.

Authors and Affiliations

Bhavna Sabbarwal

Keywords

Related Articles

The Effectiveness of Orientation Programme among Nurse Interns: An Initial Step towards Quality Nursing Care

Back ground: Orientation programs are known to be a key element for the successful career of newly graduated nurses. An effective orientation program can offer the novel nurse with significant confidence in her clinical...

Epidemiological Study of Tobacco Use in Indian Adults: Addiction Pattern and Determinants of Tobacco Cessation

Background: Smoking cessation plays a crucial role in reducing mortality and morbidity. Hence, knowledge about pattern of smoking in Indian population and factors influencing smoking cessation can help in effectively imp...

Assessing the Quality of Vision Screening By Teachers among School Children in the Bibiani-Ahwianso-Bekwai District, Ghana

Background: An effective and efficient school vision screening program will lead to early detection and management of childhood vision impairment. Non health professionals specifically teachers can be utilized for vision...

Service Indicators (Coverage/Access, Quantity, and Cost) of Safe Domestic Water Supply in Selected Communities of Enugu State, Southeast Nigeria and 2015 Water Related MDG: A Survey Study

Background: Domestic water supply is defined as water used for all domestic purposes. Globally, between 1990 and 2010, over 2 billion people gained access to improved sources of drinking water, whereas 783 million people...

Awareness of Stroke Risk Factors and Preventive Health Practices among Federal Civil Servants in Ogun State, Nigeria

Background: Stroke is a growing public health problem worldwide. It is most especially common among regions with limited resources and high disease burden with low per capita income such as Nigeria, where 60% of the Nige...

Download PDF file
  • EP ID EP368115
  • DOI -
  • Views 87
  • Downloads 0

How To Cite

Bhavna Sabbarwal (2017). Health Warning Labels on Tobacco Products: A Review. International Journal of Health Sciences and Research, 7(1), 264-270. https://europub.co.uk/articles/-A-368115