Tobacco use causes almost a quarter of all deaths from cancer in the world. Warnings on cigarette packages are a promising strategy for preventing smoking initiation and increasing cessation. Research has demonstrated that graphic warnings increase quit intentions more than text warnings, but the mechanisms for this phenomenon are poorly understood. Theory and research suggest that multiple cognitions and emotions may explain how graphic warnings increase quit intentions. However, graphic warnings may cause more reactance (i.e., a motivation to resist the health message in response to a perceived threat to one's freedom) than text warnings. Studies have yet to explore whether reactance to cigarette warnings leads to unintended consequences such as lower quit intentions. The applicant proposes training and research activities that will help fill these gaps n the research by using data from a randomized control trial with 2,050 smokers. Specifically, the proposed study aims to establish whether graphic warnings increase risk appraisals, and thus increase quit intentions. The study also aims to examine whether graphic warnings increase reactance, and thus weaken quit intentions. Data analyses will employ structural equation modeling. The proposed research, coupled with mentorship from the faculty sponsor, Dr. Noel T. Brewer, will help the applicant to develop expertise in cancer prevention and control, skills in quantitative data analysis, and a deeper understanding of social psychology and health communication theory. Moreover, the proposed research will provide the cancer prevention and control field with information about the emotional and cognitive processes by which graphic warnings may influence quit intentions. These findings could help policymakers design warnings with a greater potential to improve public health, and could inform the refinement of existing health behavior and communication theories. The proposed research and training activities will help the applicant to achieve her goal of becoming an independent cancer prevention and control researcher.
Cigarette pack warnings with images help smokers want to quit smoking. The applicant proposes training and research on how graphic warnings increase quit intentions and whether resistance to the warnings undermines their impact. The findings may lead to more powerful warnings to stop smoking and prevent cancer.
| Brewer, Noel T; Parada Jr, Humberto; Hall, Marissa G et al. (2018) Understanding Why Pictorial Cigarette Pack Warnings Increase Quit Attempts. Ann Behav Med : |
| Hall, Marissa G; Marteau, Theresa M; Sunstein, Cass R et al. (2018) Public support for pictorial warnings on cigarette packs: an experimental study of US smokers. J Behav Med 41:398-405 |
| Hall, Marissa G; Sheeran, Paschal; Noar, Seth M et al. (2018) Negative affect, message reactance and perceived risk: how do pictorial cigarette pack warnings change quit intentions? Tob Control 27:e136-e142 |
| Hall, Marissa G; Sheeran, Paschal; Noar, Seth M et al. (2017) A brief measure of reactance to health warnings. J Behav Med 40:520-529 |
| Chen, May S; Hall, Marissa G; Parada, Humberto et al. (2017) Symptoms during Adolescents' First Use of Cigarettes and E-Cigarettes: A Pilot Study. Int J Environ Res Public Health 14: |
| Hall, Marissa G; Pepper, Jessica K; Morgan, Jennifer C et al. (2016) Social Interactions as a Source of Information about E-Cigarettes: A Study of U.S. Adult Smokers. Int J Environ Res Public Health 13: |
