The Effect of Graphic Cigarette Warning Labels on Smoking Behavior: Evidence from the Canadian Experience

I have seen in the last few days a Facebook sign casting doubt on the ability of graphic warnings on cigarette packs to have an effect. I wonder if it was created by a tobacco company?

http://ntr.oxfordjournals.org/content/early/2012/09/12/ntr.nts194.abstract

Sunday Azagba, Ph.D. and Mesbah F. Sharaf, M.A.
Corresponding Author: Sunday Azagba, Ph.D., Department of Community Health and Epidemiology, Centre for Clinical Research, Dalhousie University, 5790 University Avenue, Halifax, NS, Canada
First published online: September 18, 2012



Introduction: There is a substantial literature that graphic tobacco warnings are effective; however, there is limited evidence based on actual smoking behavior. The objective of this paper is to assess the effect of graphic cigarette warning labels on smoking prevalence and quit attempts.

Methods:

-----

Results: We found that graphic warnings had a statistically significant effect on smoking prevalence and quit attempts. In particular, the warnings decreased the odds of being a smoker (odds ratio [OR] = 0.875; 95% CI = 0.821–0.932) and increased the odds of making a quit attempt (OR = 1.330, CI = 1.187–1.490). Similar results were obtained when we allowed for more time for the warnings to appear in retail outlets.

Conclusion: This study adds to the growing body of evidence on the effectiveness of graphic warnings. Our findings suggest that warnings had a significant effect on smoking prevalence and quit attempts in Canada.