The 13th World Conference on Tobacco OR Health

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the perceptions and responding actions of factory workers toward the labels. Design; A qualitative and quantitative research approach was employed to conduct triangulation of the multidimensional descriptive study. Survey questionnaires were distributed to 1625 factory employees working in 4 regions of Thailand by March 2005. 52 workers from 22 factories were also interviewed in-depth. Results; The study revealed that 95.5% of the respondents felt the labels “lung cancer caused by cigarette smoking” was the most effective (36%). Although, 2.5% quitting smoking after reading the labels, 60.6% of them agreed that the labels prompted them to understand the harm of tobacco. Early onset smoking was significantly associated with smoking cessation, and relapse. The qualitative data supported that the labels were not attractive but useful in terms of stimulating and reminding smokers on the harmfulness of smoking. Half of those surveyed hesitated to smoke and increased their thinking about quitting smoking. Moreover, it was shown that there is gradual change of values concerning the nonsmoker's right to nonsmoking environments and the alienation of the smoker. Conclusion: The labels on cigarette packages are leading to new values of health in the workforce in Thailand. As young starters tend to infrequently quit smoking, there should be increased targeting of these workers by having the labels continued through mandatory smoking laws. Moreover, developing the labels by making them more attractive, more powerful, more easily understood and tangible is recommended for illiterate and young workers.

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