Standardizing smokeless tobacco packs in India to enhance health warning visibility and harm perceptions
Introduction Approximately 21% of adults in India use smokeless tobacco and over half use khaini, a tobacco-lime mixture. Khaini is available in a variety of pack shapes and sizes, which can affect health warning label (HWL) size and placement. This study explored consumer perceptions of existing kh...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
European Publishing
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Tobacco Induced Diseases |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.tobaccoinduceddiseases.org/Standardizing-smokeless-tobacco-packs-in-India-to-enhance-health-warning-visibility,205097,0,2.html |
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| Summary: | Introduction
Approximately 21% of adults in India use smokeless tobacco and
over half use khaini, a tobacco-lime mixture. Khaini is available in a variety of
pack shapes and sizes, which can affect health warning label (HWL) size and
placement. This study explored consumer perceptions of existing khaini packs
and two proposed standard shape/size khaini packs across dimensions of HWL
noticeability and harm perceptions.
Methods
In March 2023, we conducted 24 focus groups (FGs) across India. Groups
were equally numbered by residence, gender, and current khaini use. FGs were
led by trained facilitators. Each FG discussed six existing khaini packs and two
standard packs (paper sachet; tin cylinder). Data were collected in local languages,
translated into English, and thematically analyzed.
Results
All FGs discussed the limited visibility of HWLs on existing packs, noting
that HWLs were often small, blurry, or printed too faintly to notice. Most (defined
as ≥80%) FGs discussed how the HWLs on both standard packs were large and
easy to see. FGs discussed how the standard packs appeared more harmful than
existing packs due to the large, clearly printed HWL. Most FGs found that the
standard tin cylinder was less harmful than the standard paper sachet due to its
comparatively smaller HWL.
Conclusions
Both standard khaini packs increased HWL noticeability and perceived
harm compared to existing packs, and the standard paper sachet was seen as
more harmful than the standard tin cylinder. Implementing the standard sachet
pack could enhance HWL visibility and increase perceptions of harm among
consumers. |
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| ISSN: | 1617-9625 |