Recognition of tabacco health warning labelling in korean family physicians

Roh, Tong Hyun; Seo, Hong Gwan; Kim, Cheol Hwan; Kim, Shin Hung; Lyou, Mi; Lee, Eon Sook

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Tobacco health warning labelling as one of the smoking education act has been improved in many countries. But there was no change of tobacco health warning labelling after 1989 in korea. So, for the purpose to help developing new tobacco health warning labelling, we searched the recognition rate of tobacco health warning labelling in family physician and their evaluation of labels which were required form 1976 to 1988, and after 1989 in korea. METHOD: Family physicians who were participated in autumn conference 2000 of the Korean Academy of Family Medicine were questioned about their recognition and evaluation of tobacco health warning labelling required form 1976 to 1988 and after 1989.
RESULTS
Response rate to questionnaire was 25%(250/1000), but completely filled response rate included in study was 14.5%(145/1000). The recognition rate of tobacco health warning labelling required in 1976-1988(86.7%) was higher then after 1989(61.4%). When compared by sex, age, and smoking status, each results are similar. Respondents evaluated the tobacco health warning labelling required in 1976-1988 that the information was absolutely small and the vagueness of sentences lead smokers misconceived adverse effect of smoking, and also pointed out that the changed labelling after 1989 is not enough to transmit sufficient information. Respondents recognized that because government provided military personnel with tobacco of free charge, it decreased confidence and warning effect of tobacco health warning labelling(72.4%). Respondents answered active campaign of government against smoking would increase the effect of tobacco health warning labelling(92.4%), but the monopoly of tobacco production by government would support (local)government finance(75.9%).
CONCLUSION
New tobacco health warning labelling is needed to increase readability, warning, information against smoking, because present labelling is not recognized well and limited to give information against smoking.