Background
In the U.S., limited evidence exists on the impact of colors and brand imagery used
in cigarette pack design.
Purpose
This study examined the impact of pack design, product descriptors, and health warnings
on risk perception and brand appeal.
Methods
A cross-sectional mall-intercept study was conducted with 197 adult smokers and 200
nonsmokers in Buffalo NY from June to July 2009 (data analysis from July 2009 to December
2010). Participants were shown 12 sets of packs randomly; each set varied by a particular
design feature (color, descriptor) or warning label style (text versus graphic, size,
attribution, message framing). Packs were rated on criteria including risk perceptions,
quit motivation, and purchase interest.
Results
Participants selected larger, pictorial, and loss-framed warning labels as more likely
to attract attention, encourage thoughts about health risks, motivate quitting, and
be most effective. Participants were more likely to select packs with lighter color
shading and descriptors such as light, silver, and smooth as delivering less tar, smoother taste, and lower health risk, compared to darker-shaded
or full-flavor packs. Additionally, participants were more likely to select the branded compared to plain white pack when asked which delivered the most tar, smoothest taste, was more attractive,
appealed to youth aged <18 years, and contained cigarettes of better quality.
Conclusions
The findings support larger, graphic health warnings that convey loss-framed messages
as most effective in communicating health risks to U.S. adults. The results also indicate
that color and product descriptors are associated with false beliefs about risks.
Plain packaging may reduce many of the erroneous misperceptions of risk communicated
through pack design features.
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© 2011 American Journal of Preventive Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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- Searching for an Indicator of the Influence of the Tobacco Lobby on PoliticiansAmerican Journal of Preventive MedicineVol. 41Issue 4
- PreviewBansal-Travers et al.1 examined the impact of cigarette pack design and pictorial health warnings used by governments to communicate directly to consumers. In its comprehensive policy, the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), which came into force in 2005, specifically called for the implementation of health warnings on tobacco packaging covering at least 30% (ideally 50% or more) of the display areas that may include pictures or pictograms.2
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