Do plain packaging and pictorial warnings affect smokers' and non-smokers' behavioral intentions?

International audienceThis research considers how tobacco warnings, plain packaging and interactions between these measures affect behavioral intentions. While existing literature shows the superiority of pictorial warning labels (PWLs) versus text-only tobacco warnings, few studies have examined the interaction effects of warnings and plain packaging on smoking intentions. Nor has earlier work examined the influence of smoking status (smoker vs non-smoker) on both warning and plain packaging effectiveness. Our experimental study addressed this gap by surveying 338 individuals using a factorial design with two manipulated factors (PWLs vs text-only warnings; plain pack vs current branded tobacco pack). Results show that the plain pack and warnings work independently and in unison to influence smokers’ and non-smokers’ behavioral intentions. The findings are particularly relevant to the many countries currently considering plain packaging and facing opposition from tobacco companies