Impact of Removing 'Light' Labels on Cigarette Packs in Thailand
Author Information
Author(s): Siahpush Mohammad, Borland Ron, Fong Geoffrey T., Elton-Marshall Tara, Yong Hua-Hie, Holumyong Charamporn
Primary Institution: University of Nebraska Medical Center
Hypothesis
Did the removal of 'light' descriptors from cigarette packs in Thailand change smokers' beliefs about the harm of these cigarettes, and did this change vary by socioeconomic status?
Conclusion
The removal of 'light' descriptors from cigarette packs led to a decline in the belief that 'light' cigarettes are less harmful, especially among lower-income and lower-education smokers.
Supporting Evidence
- The belief that 'light' cigarettes are less harmful declined significantly after the ban.
- Lower income and education groups showed a steeper decline in the belief that 'light' cigarettes are less harmful.
- The study used data from a nationally representative cohort of adult smokers in Thailand.
Takeaway
When Thailand stopped using 'light' labels on cigarette packs, many smokers started to believe that these cigarettes are just as harmful as regular ones, especially those with less money or education.
Methodology
Data were collected from waves 2, 3, and 4 of the ITC Thailand Survey, which involved a stratified multi-stage sampling of adult smokers.
Potential Biases
Potential bias from the tobacco industry's marketing strategies and the lack of health education campaigns reinforcing the harms of 'light' cigarettes.
Limitations
Unmeasured confounders may have influenced the observed decline in beliefs about 'light' cigarettes, and the impact of these confounders could differ by socioeconomic position.
Participant Demographics
92.51% male, age range 18-86, with 44.15% living in urban areas; income levels were 17.4% low, 51.0% medium, and 31.6% high; education levels were 64.8% low, 25.7% medium, and 9.5% high.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.001
Confidence Interval
95% CI: 2.91–3.21
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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