Survey Says Larger Pictorial Warnings Won’t Have Impact on Smoking

The increase in pictorial warnings, however, may cause some to leave the habit because of the repulsive pictures.

Tobacco companies sometimes use elaborate packaging to attract first-time customers, pictorial warnings may dissuade such smokers. (Photo: iStockphoto)

After the Supreme Court directed tobacco manufacturing companies to increase the pictorial warning size on cigarette packs and other tobacco products from 20% to 85%, a new survey shows that it will have little impact on smokers.

ICICI Lombard conducted a survey in which 70% smokers said that larger pictures on the cigarette packs would not affect their smoking habits.

The survey found that 41 per cent of the respondents believe that a stricter imposition on banning smoking in public places would be widely appreciated, while only 24 per cent of those surveyed stated that increase in ‘sin taxes’ would compel smokers to give up the habit.

Also Read: Why India Drags its Feet on Pictorial Warnings in Tobacco Packs

The increase in the pictorial warnings, however, may cause some to leave the habit because of the repulsive pictures.

In other findings, the survey revealed that work-related stress (35 per cent) and peer-pressure (38 per cent) were among the chief reasons for people to take up smoking, with 49 per cent of the respondents stating it has become a habit hard to quit, and 53% other people saying that they were exposed to passive smoke on a daily basis.(With agency inputs)