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Published in: Journal of Public Health 2/2014

Open Access 01-04-2014 | Original Article

Young children’s perceptions of health warning labels on cigarette packages: a study in six countries

Authors: Dina L. G. Borzekowski, Joanna E. Cohen

Published in: Journal of Public Health | Issue 2/2014

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Abstract

Aim

Health warning labels on cigarette packages are one way to reach youth thinking about initiating tobacco use. The purpose of this study was to examine awareness and understanding of current health warning labels among 5 and 6 year old children.

Subjects and methods

Researchers conducted one-on-one interviews with urban and rural 5 and 6 year olds from Brazil, China, India, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Russia.

Results

Among the 2,423 participating children, 62 % were unaware of the health warnings currently featured on cigarette packages, with the lowest levels of awareness in India and the highest levels in Brazil. When shown the messages, the same percentage of participating children (62 %) showed no level of message understanding.

Conclusion

While youth are receiving social and informational messages promoting tobacco use, health warning labels featured on cigarette packages are not effectively reaching young children with anti-smoking messages.
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Metadata
Title
Young children’s perceptions of health warning labels on cigarette packages: a study in six countries
Authors
Dina L. G. Borzekowski
Joanna E. Cohen
Publication date
01-04-2014
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
Journal of Public Health / Issue 2/2014
Print ISSN: 2198-1833
Electronic ISSN: 1613-2238
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10389-014-0612-0

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