Sanitary warnings and neutral packaging of tobacco products in the perception of Salvadorans

Abstract

Introduction: The WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control establishes that within the effective measures to reduce tobacco consumption are the prohibition of tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship. In El Salvador, Law for Tobacco Control allows advertising at sale points, reducing the effectiveness of these policies.
Objective. To explore the impact of larger graphic health warnings and plain packaging on Salvadoran´s smoking intention and discouraging tobacco consumption.
Methodology. A qualitative study with focus group discussions divided into three population segments. These segments
were: adolescents, young people and adults. The systematization of the data were analysed by means of Nvivo 10.
Results. The current health warning labels evoke negative feelings on Salvadorans people and the most shocking images are the ones with children affected by second-hand smoke. There is a high public support to implement larger graphic health warnings and to introduce plain packaging with bigger impact of refusal. Conclusions. It is required to rotate the health warnings that appear on tobacco product packaging and to introduce plain packaging in El Salvador as an effective measure of reducing tobacco consumption.