Impact of Waterpipe Tobacco Pack Health Warnings on Waterpipe Smoking Attitudes: A Qualitative Analysis among Regular Users in London.

Mohammed Jawad,Ali Bakir,Mohammed Ali,Aimee Grant

doi:10.1155/2015/745865

Mohammed Jawad, Ali Bakir + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1155/2015/745865

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Abstract

Background. Despite the rise in prevalence of waterpipe tobacco smoking, it has received little legislative enforcement from governing bodies, especially in the area of health warning labels. Methods. Twenty regular waterpipe tobacco smokers from London took part in five focus groups discussing the impact of waterpipe tobacco pack health warnings on their attitudes towards waterpipe smoking. We presented them with existing and mock waterpipe tobacco products, designed to be compliant with current and future UK/EU legislation. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Results. Participants felt packs were less attractive and health warnings were more impactful as health warnings increased in size and packaging became less branded. However, participants highlighted their lack of exposure to waterpipe tobacco pack health warnings due to the inherent nature of waterpipe smoking, that is, smoking in a café with the apparatus already prepacked by staff. Health warnings at the point of consumption had more reported impact than health warnings at the point of sale. Conclusions. Waterpipe tobacco pack health warnings are likely to be effective if compliant with existing laws and exposed to end-users. Legislations should be reviewed to extend health warning labels to waterpipe accessories, particularly the apparatus, and to waterpipe-serving premises.

Highlights

Waterpipe tobacco smoking is a growing public health concern
It is the predominant tobacco product used by young people in Jordan [1] and Lebanon [2], and a noticeable prevalence is noted in Western settings, especially among young adults [3]
In the US, reports from a national survey estimate that 6.1% of adults aged 18–24 years are current waterpipe tobacco smokers [5] and an analysis of the Global Adult Tobacco Survey suggests waterpipe tobacco smoking is increasing across continents with important country-level differences in patterns of use [6]

Summary

Introduction

Waterpipe tobacco smoking is a growing public health concern. It is the predominant tobacco product used by young people in Jordan [1] and Lebanon [2], and a noticeable prevalence is noted in Western settings, especially among young adults [3]. Despite the rise in prevalence of waterpipe tobacco smoking, it has received little legislative enforcement from governing bodies, especially in the area of health warning labels. Twenty regular waterpipe tobacco smokers from London took part in five focus groups discussing the impact of waterpipe tobacco pack health warnings on their attitudes towards waterpipe smoking. Participants felt packs were less attractive and health warnings were more impactful as health warnings increased in size and packaging became less branded. Participants highlighted their lack of exposure to waterpipe tobacco pack health warnings due to the inherent nature of waterpipe smoking, that is, smoking in a cafewith the apparatus already prepacked by staff. Legislations should be reviewed to extend health warning labels to waterpipe accessories, the apparatus, and to waterpipe-serving premises

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion