Sociodemographic Disparities in Cigarette Warning Effectiveness in Lebanon

Abstract

Objectives: This study measures sociodemographic disparities in perceived effectiveness of pictorial health warnings on cigarette packs. Methods: A cross-sectional study in 2011 tested 20 pictorial warnings among 1517 adults across Lebanon. Participants evaluated the effectiveness of the current text-only warning, and 2 pictorial warnings. Health warnings were thematically grouped. Logistic regression models evaluated associations between the perceived effectiveness of themes and sociodemographic characteristics. Results: Perceived effectiveness of the current warning was 15.0% (95% CI 13.2%-16.9%). All pictorial warnings were perceived to be more effective than the current warning, including those about the long-term consequences of smoking (78.1%, 95% CI 74.9%-81.3%) and second-hand smoke (79.2%, 95% CI 74.3%-84.2%). Men had lower odds of perceiving warnings about dependence and second-hand smoke as being effective (AOR 0.30, 95% 0.14-0.65; AOR 0.22, 95% CI 0.10-0.50, respectively). Older respondents had lower odds of perceiving warnings about reproductive health, but higher odds of perceiving warnings about cessation, as effective (AOR 0.35, 95% CI 0.14-0.88; AOR 3.30 95% CI 1.26-8.64, respectively). Other sociodemographic disparities are described. Conclusions: Pictorial warnings are perceived to be more effective than text-only warnings in Lebanon, and should be implemented considering sociodemographic disparities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of Tobacco Regulatory Science is the property of Tobacco Regulatory Science Group and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)