Graphic warning labels 'work better'

Tuesday, 19 June 2012 15:59

Written by Editor

Images such as patients on ventilators placed on cigarette packets help smokers heed the health warnings about smoking.. ...according to researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. Their study of 200 smokers found that 83% were able to remember the health warning if it was accompanied by a graphic image.

This compared with a 50% success rate when text-only warnings were viewed. The researchers said their findings were important. "In addition to showing the value of adding a graphic warning label, this research also provides valuable insight into how the warning labels may be effective, which may serve to create more effective warning labels in the future," they said.

In April the UK government launched a consultation seeking views on whether tobacco products should be sold in standardised packaging. As part of the consultation, it is exploring the options of no branding appearing on the packet, using a uniform colour for all packets or using standard font, text or imagery on every packet.

The Tobacco Manufacturers' Association welcomed the consultation but added that there was no reliable evidence that plain packaging would reduce rates of youth smoking. In the US, health officials ordered that graphic warning labels should appear on cigarette packets from September this year, but tobacco companies are challenging the decision in court.

Australia is currently the only country which has so far agreed to plain packaging and a ban on branding on cigarette packets.