A Comparative Study to Assess the Effect of Anti Tobacco Media Messages on Maintenance of Tobacco Abstinence among Currently Abstinent University Students of Delhi University

Abstract

Tobacco is the only product which kills up to half of its consumers, when taken as newlinerecommended by its producers. It is estimated that globally tobacco takes eight newlinemillion human lives annually. Low and middle income countries share the majority newlineof mortality and morbidity burden of tobacco use. India made a significant attempt newlineto fight against the tobacco epidemic and its related morbidity and mortality by newlinesigning Framework Convention on Tobacco Control on September 10, 2003. newlineSeveral studies done in the past indicated the importance of anti-tobacco media newlinemessages in bringing attitudinal changes in behaviours of tobacco users and non newlineusers. Although, the effect of media generated anti-tobacco media messages is newlineunique for every individual. According to the GATS-2 report, many smokers do not newlinenotice tobacco products warnings. The impact of written and pictorial warnings is newlinetherefore questionable. Smoking cues shown in movies or via other media can have newlinea negative impact on smokers and recent quitters motivation to quit tobacco, as newlinethese can increase the urge to smoke, reverse the motivation cycle and make them newlinerelapse. newline