S77 Processing of Cigarette Graphic Health Warning Labels Decrease with Prolonged Exposure

Introduction Cigarette package graphic health warning labels (GHWL) remain an important means of communicating serious smoking risks. There were significant delays in implementing them in different countries around the world, partly due to tobacco company resistance; additionally, the messages used differ considerably. We expected a reduced cognitive processing of the messages based on the duration since launch. In order to address this question we compared a London (4 years) vs Singapore (8 years exposed) cohort. Methods We used a 50-item structured interview; after recording demographics and smoking history, 10 country-specific warning labels were shown. In addition to the emotional response and impact on smoking cessation/prevention, cognitive processing was assessed on a scale from ‘1’ (‘not at all/never’) to ‘5’ (‘all the time/a lot’). Smoking-risk knowledge and their importance in terms of prevention and treatment were elicited. Results 266 participants were recruited, 163 from London (52 ± 18 years, 54% male, 35% smokers) and 103 from Singapore (58 ± 15 years, p = 0.012; 78% male, p vs 1.5 ± 1.0, p vs 1.6 ± 1.1, p vs 1.4 ± 0.8, p vs 53%, p vs 35%, p = 0.011). One-in-five participants in Singapore were unaware of the association between smoking and lung cancer, despite it being the most deterring risk; blindness was the least well-known consequence in London (24%) and Singapore (34%, p = 0.075) despite being ranked ahead of stroke, oral cancer, and in smokers, ahead of heart disease for importance to prevent/treat. Conclusion A desensitisation to graphic health warning labels occurs with extended exposure. Non-smokers are prone to the same desensitisation as smokers are. In pre-empting this, the awareness and impact of specific health risks need to be actively utilised, in concerted public health campaigns, to help maintain label efficacy.